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Election Issues
This was a single issue election. Although Laurier tried to raise
issues such as government incompetence in the war effort, Canadians
were only interested in the conscription crisis.
Conscription
The Military Service Act and the debate over conscription turned
into a debate about loyalty versus treason. When the Military
Service Act passed in July 1917, it became clear that the election
would decide whether conscription would be implemented or not.
The division over this issue was clear – French versus
English. Most French Canadians were convinced that nothing in
the war was relevant to Canadian interests, and they should not
be involved at all. English Canadians were generally loyal to
Britain and were committed to the war effort. Debates about conscription
turned into personal attacks on national pride and loyalty. Violent
demonstrations and rallies were held throughout Canada. The
conscription crisis had reopened the bitter rivalry between French
and English Canadians.
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