The Macdonald Institute

[photography, Mount Robson, Canada]

Maurier Porter writes:  "From Alexander Mackenzie to Wilfrid Laurier, the Liberal Party of Canada was the "laissez-faire", "free-trade" party of Canada, which was founded in opposition to MacDonald's protectionist and economically nationalist policy. It wasn't until 1911, when Laurier lost to Robert Borden (a National Conservative who operated in the tradition of MacDonald), that Laurier realized his party had a weak foundation and advised Mackenzie King on the necessity of tariffs, claiming that “is to follow as we have commenced – a revenue tariff-appealing to the common sense of both producers and consumers … we must convince every class of the community – farmers, manufacturers, consumers and producers – that we are enemy to none, friend of all and that we want justice for every one.”

It was during the 20's and 30's that the parties began to switch policies. The National Conservatives under R. B. Bennet adopted a more laissez faire policy, whereas the Liberals became more protectionist. It wasn't until the Great Depression hit that both parties were forced to adopt economic nationalism, which was consistent with Mackenzie King, but not the history of his party before him.

It is worth noting that during the 30's, 40's, and 50's, the Liberal Party of Canada was both Nationalist and Corporatist, operating in the tradition of John A. MacDonald while taking influence from many other countries that had become more corporatist at the time (such as the U.S.A, France, the Soviet Union, Germany, Italy, Japan). The Liberal Party of Canada used to even be an ethno-nationalist party, as it was under St. Laurent that Canada put forward the ethnically-based immigration policy of 1952. In many ways, the Liberal Party at this time was more consistent with MacDonald's vision of Canada than the Conservatives.

What is to be concluded here is that there has been a legacy and tradition in Canada that is common to both Liberals and Conservatives, namely that of the Legacy of MacDonald and his views (which are outlined in The MacDonald Mandate). With that being said, there has also been another side of both parties, namely, that of progressivism. It is with leaders like Diefenbaker in Contrast with MacDonald or Mulroney in contrast with Borden; or with leaders like Lester B. Pearson in contrast with Mackenzie King or Pierre Elliot Trudeau in contrast with St. Laurent––that we see the difference between these traditionalists and progressives on both sides."