13 Mar, 1900 | By Sir Wilfrid Laurier | Laurier addresses members in the House of Commons related to the issue of Canada’s contribution in the Second Boer War. Laurier was caught between demands for support for military action from English Canada, and a strong opposition from French Canada, which saw the War as an "English" war. Laurier eventually decided to send a volunteer force, rather than the militia expected by Britain.
29 Nov, 1910 | By Sir Wilfrid Laurier | Laurier addresses his support of the creation of a Canadian Navy. This issue was a divisive one, especially in Quebec, as ex-Liberal Henri Bourassa organized an anti-Laurier force.
7 Mar, 1911 | By Sir Wilfrid Laurier | Laurier debates members in House of Commons on the issue of reciprocity with the United States in 1911. A contentious issue, reciprocity pitted two conflicting impulses, the desire for beneficial economic ties with the United States against the fear that closer economic ties would lead to American domination and annexation.
