Читать книгу Full Circle: Death and Resurrection In Canadian Conservative Politics - Bob Plamondon - Страница 9

Robert Laird Borden came from a family of Nova Scotia farmers, although it was clear from a young age he was more inclined to books than pastures. It was not that he lacked discipline or a strong work ethic; quite the opposite. A successful lawyer, Borden was a reluctant entrant to the world of politics, and an even more reluctant leader. When the call came to lead the party in 1901 he modestly responded that he had neither the experience nor the qualifications, but accepted anyway on the condition that the party simultaneously appoint a committee to search for a permanent replacement.

Borden would lead the conservatives in opposition for more than a decade and lose two elections before becoming prime minister. During his period in opposition he honed his public speaking and debating skills, although these were both facets of politics he never enjoyed. Caucus unity was an even greater challenge, as the party carried deep divisions concerning religion, language, and policy.

In Borden’s first election defeat, the Tories lost 5 seats, including Borden’s. A by-election was quickly arranged, which the Liberals did not contest as a matter of courtesy. Borden began to focus on policy and prepared a platform that featured Senate reform, public service reform, tighter restrictions on immigration, ownership or regulation in the communications and transportation sectors, and the unimpaired maintenance of provincial rights. Those of conservative persuasion were not impressed with such an activist platform. Neither were the voters. In his second campaign as Conservative leader, Borden managed to gain 10 seats, which left him 64 seats behind the Liberals.

Soldiering on, Borden faced two key policy questions: the establishment of a Canadian navy and free trade with the United States. Borden wanted a more independent Canadian navy while many caucus colleagues preferred continuing to support the British navy with cash. On the second issue, Prime MinisterWilfrid Laurier had staked out his ground with a free trade proposal, which won him instant support from Canadian farmers, fishermen, and others who were tired of paying high tariffs. Borden, supported by a clutch of conservative premiers, opposed free trade based on fears of a loss of sovereignty and detachment from the British Empire. “Canadianism or Continentalism,” was Borden’s slogan for the 1911 election campaign. Business interests—those protected by the tariffs—were also at the ready. Borden built a coalition of those opposed to free trade, which included anti-reciprocity Liberals. As distasteful as this was to many die-hard conservatives, this would not be the only time Borden would look to Liberals to secure government. On September 21, 1911, the Conservatives won 133 seats to the Liberals’ 86.

Borden pursued an activist government that proposed marketing and export assistance for Canadian grains, as well as a national highway system (one of the early uses of federal spending powers in areas of provincial jurisdiction). The Liberal-dominated Senate thwarted many of Borden’s measures, as well as a proposal for a more independent Canadian navy. Senate obstruction almost led to a snap election, with an elected Senate as the only issue.

But on August 4, 1914, everything changed. The world was brought to war, and in Canada partisanship gave way to co-operation as Conservatives and Liberals worked together to pass the War Measures Act.

The war lasted much longer than anyone anticipated. Income tax was imposed as a “temporary measure” to fund the war effort, and government intervention in the economy became widespread. Canada matured during the First World War and, through its sacrifice and contribution, asserted its independence under Borden. No longer content to follow the lead of the British, Canada insisted on and obtained a role in military strategy as well as in international affairs.

Borden had made an unbreakable bond with Canadian soldiers fighting in the trenches and vowed to give them the nation’s full support. He stood up for Canadian troops and threatened not to send soldiers overseas unless Canada was properly consulted on the deployment of its forces. Supporting Canada’s troops also meant conscription. He knew it would be divisive for the country so he invited Liberal leader Wilfrid Laurier to join him in a coalition government. Laurier vacillated, then eventually refused. Borden sought the support of conscriptionist Liberals and eventually formed what he called a “Union” government. On December 17, 1917, the Unionists won 153 seats to the Liberals’ 82. Borden’s government included 114 Conservative and 39 Liberal members. Twenty Liberal seats came from Quebec. Clearly, Borden faced huge political problems over conscription in Quebec, coupled with the issue of French language schooling outside Quebec. It would be a generation or more before Quebecers would, if only temporarily, embrace Conservatives.

In the 1917 election, Borden’s victory was aided by extending the vote to women who were of immediate relation to soldiers. After the election, legislation was passed to extend the vote to all women and to guarantee female workers equal pay for equal work.

Borden also insisted that Canada be represented at the Peace Conference. When offered standing to represent all British colonies, dominions, and the like, Borden refused. He wanted a place for Canada alone, although he secured standing for a number of Britain’s allies at plenary meetings.

After the war, the Union government began to disintegrate over budget matters and the Winnipeg General Strike. Borden was tired and disinclined to fight another election and officially retired on July 1, 1920.

Borden was a hard-working, earnest, and decent man who cared passionately about Canada and its independence. But it was not just the strength of his character and convictions that earned him respect and the prime ministership. He understood that for the sake of his country, let alone his party, he needed to reach out, even to Liberals, to provide the unity and leadership the country required.