Arthur Meighen's The Great Issue speech was a defining moment in Canadian politics during the early 1920s, focusing on one of the most divisive debates of the era: tariffs versus free trade. Delivered at a time when economic policy dominated the political landscape, the speech outlined Meighen's staunch defense of protective tariffs and his belief in their necessity to safeguard Canadian industries from American competition. His position reflected not only a significant economic philosophy but also a deeper vision of Canada's independence, sovereignty, and national development.
Meighen’s argument in The Great Issue centered on his belief that protective tariffs were essential to the growth of Canada’s emerging industries. He viewed free trade with the United States—proposed by the Liberal Party under William Lyon Mackenzie King—as a threat to Canadian sovereignty. Meighen’s opposition to free trade was rooted in the fear that Canada, by removing trade barriers, would become economically dependent on its much larger southern neighbor. He believed that Canada needed to develop a strong, independent industrial base, and that protective tariffs were the mechanism to achieve this goal.
This speech not only reinforced the Conservative Party’s traditional stance on economic nationalism but also highlighted Meighen’s broader political philosophy. He saw the Canadian Confederation as a fragile entity, still in its formative years, and viewed policies that strengthened domestic industries and supported Canadian workers as critical to ensuring the country’s survival as an independent nation. In this respect, The Great Issue was not simply about economics; it was about defining Canada’s national identity in the shadow of its powerful neighbor.
Meighen’s position, however, was not universally accepted. His speech came at a time of significant political division, particularly as post-World War I economic conditions caused widespread discontent. Many Canadians, particularly in the agricultural West, viewed tariffs as benefiting the industrial heartland of Ontario and Quebec at their expense. For farmers who relied on exporting their goods to the United States, free trade seemed like a more attractive option. This regional divide, between the interests of eastern industrialists and western agrarians, would become a central feature of Canadian politics during the interwar years.
Despite the strong principles laid out in The Great Issue, Meighen’s arguments ultimately failed to carry the day. In the federal election of 1921, the Conservative Party suffered a major defeat, losing to Mackenzie King’s Liberals. The election marked a shift in Canadian politics, as King’s more pragmatic and populist approach appealed to a broader cross-section of Canadians, particularly in the West. Nevertheless, the ideas Meighen articulated in The Great Issue—especially his emphasis on economic nationalism—remained influential within the Conservative Party for decades to come.
In terms of broader implications for Canadian history, The Great Issue had a lasting impact on the country’s economic and political debates. Meighen’s speech helped solidify the divide between those who advocated for a strong, protective economic policy and those who favored greater economic integration with the United States. This debate over tariffs and trade would continue to shape Canadian politics throughout the 20th century, resurfacing in various forms during discussions over free trade agreements in the 1980s and beyond.
Furthermore, Meighen’s emphasis on protecting Canadian industries and ensuring national sovereignty through economic policy set the stage for future discussions about Canada’s place in the global economy. His vision of a strong, independent Canada—able to stand on its own in the face of American economic dominance—resonated with many Canadians who feared that closer economic ties with the United States would weaken Canada’s autonomy. This nationalist sentiment would remain a key feature of Canadian political discourse, influencing trade policy decisions well into the 21st century.
In conclusion, Arthur Meighen’s The Great Issue speech was a defining moment in Canadian political history. It encapsulated the economic and political challenges facing a young nation seeking to carve out its identity and safeguard its independence. While Meighen’s vision of protective tariffs did not win the immediate battle, the issues he raised—about national sovereignty, economic independence, and the role of government in protecting Canadian interests—would continue to shape the country’s political landscape for generations to come.
I directed the boats to move their oars as gently as possible, just enough to stem the current, and not to talk, or even whisper. Being able to expend half an hour here unseen was a great event for us, to allow it to become darker, as everything depended upon our being able to reach the vessel unseen. At last I judged it dark enough, and we dropped silently down upon our prey literally without moving an oar until we were close alongside of her. These were anxious moments for me, knowing how hazardous it is to climb a vessel's side and make good a footing upon the deck without being knocked on the head; however, in this, as in everything else, fortune favoured us. When within a boat's length of the vessel, one of the watch (who had apparently just awoke out of a sleep) cried out, "Boat, ahoy! boat, ahoy!""
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