CANADA HISTORY - Elections

Political Situation Before the Election

The 1896 federal election in Canada was a significant turning point in the country's political history. The election marked the end of a long period of Conservative dominance and the rise of the Liberal Party under the leadership of Wilfrid Laurier. The political situation in the years leading up to the election was marked by economic difficulties, ethnic and religious divisions, and tensions between English and French Canadians.

Sir John A. Macdonald, the Conservative leader who had been instrumental in founding the Canadian Confederation, had passed away in 1891, leaving a void in the Conservative Party. His death was followed by a period of instability within the party, with various leaders attempting to hold together the different factions of the Conservatives. Sir John Abbott briefly succeeded Macdonald but resigned due to health issues, followed by Sir John Thompson, who died suddenly in 1894. Mackenzie Bowell then became Prime Minister but was widely seen as an ineffective leader, particularly in handling the controversial Manitoba Schools Question.

The Manitoba Schools Question was a major issue leading up to the 1896 election. In 1890, Manitoba abolished separate Catholic and Protestant schools, leading to protests from French Catholics who saw this as a violation of their rights. The issue polarized the country along linguistic and religious lines, with French Catholics in Quebec demanding the restoration of their educational rights, while many English Protestants in the rest of Canada supported Manitoba's move toward a more secular school system.

By early 1896, Bowell’s government was in turmoil. He faced internal dissent within the Conservative Party, leading to his resignation. He was replaced by Sir Charles Tupper, a veteran politician and a father of Confederation, just months before the election. However, Tupper's leadership was not enough to revive the Conservative Party's fortunes.

On the other side, the Liberal Party, which had been in opposition since the early 1870s, was gaining strength. Wilfrid Laurier, a charismatic and skilled orator from Quebec, became the leader of the Liberal Party in 1887. Laurier positioned himself as a unifying figure who could bridge the gap between English and French Canadians. He was seen as more moderate and pragmatic than many of his predecessors, which allowed him to appeal to a broader electorate.

Leaders of the Contending Parties

Sir Charles Tupper (Conservative Party): Tupper was a well-known political figure, having served as a Premier of Nova Scotia before Confederation and holding various important cabinet positions under Macdonald. He was a staunch supporter of Macdonald's National Policy, which focused on high tariffs to protect Canadian industries, the construction of the transcontinental railway, and the promotion of national unity. Although Tupper was a respected statesman, his leadership came too late to save a deeply divided party.

Wilfrid Laurier (Liberal Party): Laurier was a skilled politician who appealed to both English and French Canadians. He had a strong belief in federalism and promoted a vision of Canada that respected both of its founding peoples. Laurier’s Liberals offered a fresh perspective compared to the aging Conservative establishment. His platform called for freer trade, reduced tariffs, and a conciliatory approach to the Manitoba Schools Question, aiming to diffuse the tension between Catholics and Protestants in the country.

The Issues of the Election
The 1896 election was fought primarily on two key issues: the economy and the Manitoba Schools Question.

Economic Policy: The Conservatives under Tupper continued to advocate for the National Policy, which had been introduced by Macdonald in the 1870s. This policy called for high tariffs on imported goods to protect Canadian industries from foreign competition, particularly from the United States. The National Policy had been central to Conservative victories in the past, but by the 1890s, there were growing criticisms that it favored Eastern manufacturing interests at the expense of Western and agricultural interests.

Laurier and the Liberals, on the other hand, advocated for lower tariffs and freer trade. Laurier argued that lowering tariffs would reduce the cost of goods for ordinary Canadians, especially farmers, and would stimulate economic growth by increasing trade with the United States and other countries.

Manitoba Schools Question: The Manitoba Schools Question was a key issue in the 1896 election, especially in Quebec. The abolition of French Catholic schools in Manitoba was seen by many French Canadians as an attack on their culture and religious rights. Tupper's Conservatives proposed remedial legislation that would force Manitoba to restore Catholic schools, but this was highly unpopular in English-speaking Canada, where there was strong support for provincial rights and secularism.

Laurier, seeking to avoid alienating either side, proposed a compromise. He suggested that Manitoba could maintain a single public school system, but that provisions could be made for Catholic religious instruction where numbers warranted it. Laurier’s solution was vague enough to appease both Catholics and Protestants without committing to one side, which helped him maintain support across Canada.

How the Election Was Conducted

The 1896 federal election was held on June 23, 1896. At the time, Canadian elections were not held on a single day across the country, but rather spread over several weeks, depending on the region. Voting rights were limited to male property owners, and the system was not uniform across provinces, as suffrage rules varied from one province to another.

Election campaigns in the late 19th century were significantly different from today’s highly organized events. Campaigns were largely local affairs, with candidates relying heavily on face-to-face interactions, public speeches, and newspapers to convey their messages. The campaign was characterized by heated debates on the economy and the Manitoba Schools Question, with both Laurier and Tupper crisscrossing the country to rally support.

Events of the Campaign
The campaign was marked by intense competition between the two major parties, with Laurier focusing on unity and economic reform, while Tupper tried to rally support around the National Policy and the Conservative vision of maintaining strong ties to Britain.

Laurier was able to position himself as the candidate of change, promising a new approach to politics that would respect both English and French Canadians, while also promoting economic growth. His personal charm and eloquence helped him connect with voters, particularly in Quebec, where he successfully framed the Manitoba Schools Question as a national unity issue rather than a purely religious one.

Tupper, though experienced, was hindered by internal divisions within the Conservative Party and by his relatively late assumption of the leadership. He was also burdened by the unpopularity of the Conservative Party's handling of the Manitoba Schools Question and its perceived favoritism towards Eastern manufacturers.

Results on Election Day

The 1896 election was a decisive victory for Wilfrid Laurier and the Liberal Party. The Liberals won 117 seats to the Conservatives’ 86, securing a majority in the House of Commons. Laurier’s success was particularly striking in Quebec, where he won 49 out of 65 seats, demonstrating his appeal to French Canadians. The Liberals also performed well in Ontario and the Maritimes.

Tupper’s Conservatives were reduced to a minority, with their support base primarily in rural areas of Ontario and the West. The election marked a significant realignment in Canadian politics, as the Conservatives lost their hold on power after nearly two decades of dominance.

Aftermath of the Election
The 1896 election was a turning point in Canadian political history. It marked the end of Conservative dominance and the beginning of a new era under Laurier, who would go on to serve as Prime Minister for the next 15 years. Laurier’s victory also signaled the growing importance of Quebec in national politics, as French Canadian support became crucial to winning federal elections.

Laurier’s government would later go on to implement significant reforms, including the expansion of immigration to the West, the construction of new railways, and a moderate approach to tariff reductions. His handling of the Manitoba Schools Question, while not entirely satisfying to either side, helped defuse a potentially explosive issue and maintain national unity.

Sir Charles Tupper, despite his efforts, resigned as Conservative leader following the defeat. The Conservative Party faced a period of internal strife and leadership changes in the years following the 1896 election, struggling to regain the influence they had enjoyed under Macdonald.

In conclusion, the 1896 federal election was a landmark event in Canadian history, not only because it brought Wilfrid Laurier to power, but because it marked a shift in the political landscape. Laurier’s success in appealing to both English and French Canadians set the stage for a new era of Canadian politics, characterized by efforts to balance the interests of the country’s two main linguistic and cultural groups. The election also underscored the importance of economic issues and federal-provincial relations, themes that would continue to dominate Canadian politics for decades to come.