Laurier House National Historic Site of Canada

Laurier and the British Empire

"(Queen Victoria's Diamond Jubilee)" parade, London 1897
© National Archives of Canada /PA - 028071

Confederation in 1867 led to the creation of the Dominion of Canada, a self-governing country within the British Empire. But there was no clear idea at the time of the extent to which the new dominion was still tied to the authority of the British government. It was recognised that Britain controlled Canada's relations with other countries; it was less certain to what extent Canada's economy should be bound to Britain's and whether Canada would automatically support Britain when the Mother Country became involved in a war.

Laurier was a staunch supporter of Canada's association with Britain and the British Empire. It would never have occurred to him to weaken these bonds. He was also a staunch nationalist who believed in Canada's destiny as an autonomous country within the British Empire. The consequence, throughout his years as prime minister, was his successful resistance to British pressures to form closer imperial ties, both economic and political, for he could see no advantage to Canada in doing so.

By placing Canada's interests before those of Great Britain, Laurier created amongst Canadians a greater sense of their own nationhood.

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