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Party Leader Profiles
Wilfrid Laurier – Liberal Party
Wilfrid Laurier was born on November 20, 1841 in St. Lin, Canada
East. Before entering politics, he worked as a lawyer and newspaper
editor. He supported liberal ideals such as progress and democracy.
Laurier believed that Quebec and English Canada had to be closely
associated in order to achieve liberal ideals. The following
are Laurier’s political highlights:
- Member of the Legislative Assembly of Quebec 1871-1874
- Elected to the House of Commons 1874
- Leader of the Liberal Party 1887-1919
- Leader of the Official Opposition 1887-1896
- Prime Minister 1896-1911
Laurier died on February 17, 1919 .
Robert Laird Borden – Conservative/Union Party
Robert Borden was born on June 26, 1854 in Grand Pré, Nova
Scotia. Before entering politics, he worked as a teacher and
a lawyer. The following are highlights of his political career:
- First elected as a Member of Parliament in 1896
- Leader of the Conservative Party 1901-1920
- Leader of the official opposition 1901-1911
- Leader of the Union Government 1917-1920
- Prime Minister 1911-1920
Throughout World War I, Borden fought for an independent voice
for Canada. He did not think that Canadian soldiers should be
controlled by another country’s command. He attended the
Paris Peace conference as the Canadian delegate. After retiring
from politics, Borden worked in the insurance and banking industries,
and as an author. He died in June of 1937.
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