Reciprocity (Canadian politics)

See also Canadian-American Reciprocity Treaty of 1855.

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In 19th century Canadian politics, reciprocity was the term used to describe the concept of free trade with the United States of America. It was promoted as an alternative to Sir John A. Macdonald's National Policy. Reciprocity meant that there would be no protective tariffs on all natural resources being imported and exported between Canada and the United States. This would allow prairie grain farmers access to the larger American market, and allow them to make more money on their exports. In the 1890s, it also meant that Western farmers could obtain access to cheaper American farm machinery and manufactured goods, which instead had to be obtained at higher prices from Central Canada.

Related Topics:
19th century - Canadian politics - Free trade - United States of America - John A. Macdonald - National Policy - Tariff

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The Liberal Party of Canada ran and were defeated over their reciprocity platform in the 1891 election. Macdonald won on the nationalist slogan, "The Old Man, the Old Flag, and the Old Policy". The Liberals temporarily shelved the concept. When reciprocity came up again in 1896, it was the Americans who proposed it to Laurier's Liberals. The idea excited them, and they immediately began to campaign for it. The Conservatives feared that they would lose the election again due to the valuable agreement, and despite their general belief that it would do Canada good, began to campaign against it.

Related Topics:
Liberal Party of Canada - 1891 election

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The Liberal Party went on to win the 1896 election but did not negotiate an agreement with the United States until 1911 when the government of Sir Wilfrid Laurier again campaigned on reciprocity in the 1911 election but were again defeated by the Conservative party whose slogan was "No truck or trade with the Yankees".

Related Topics:
1896 election - Wilfrid Laurier - 1911 election

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