Recognize the face on the five dollar bill? It's Sir Wilfrid Laurier, Canada's 8th Prime Minister. He was a great political leader that brought balance between French and English Canadians. Laurier strove for national unity because he believed it necessary for the building of a new nation and he believed that all Canadians could follow the principals of British liberalism and live together as one nation. Individuals sought Canada for its opportunities, optimism, and freedom. Laurier practiced politics of understanding not conflict; a master of compromise Laurier defended national unity when industrialization and urbanization were changing Canada socially and economically. Laurier believed in the future of a new nation and stated his life goal simply, "Canada has been the inspiration of my life. I have had it before me as a pillar of fire by night and a pillar of cloud by day, a policy of true Canadianism, of moderation... of conciliation...". During his years in power and politics, Laurier saw the Canada he loved grow and prosper around him.

Wilfrid Laurier was born in St. Lin, Quebec (Canada East) on November 20, 1841 to Marcelle Martineau and Carolus Laurier. Laurier's father was a successful farmer by trade. However, throughout his life he had acted as mayor, justice of the peace, was a lieutenant in the militia and had been school trustee. Laurier was bound to learn about politics from his father at an early age and the seed was planted for political greatness to give fruit in the future. He was sent to New Glasgow, Quebec at the age of 13 by his father to learn English and about the culture. Laurier's mother had died 4 years earlier and his father wanted to ensure his son received the best education available that he could provide. His father understood that to succeed in an increasingly English Canada his son would need to learn English and the customs. This was a rare opportunity indeed for someone such as Laurier during the 1850s. This experience would change Laurier's life giving him a unique perspective on English and French relations. The characteristics of compromise and clarity were developed at an early age and Laurier would come to rely on these personality traits in the future. Laurier lived with an Anglo-Protestant family that had emigrated from Scotland. He would then spend seven years studying in a Roman Catholic college called College l'Assomption where he focused on the classical studies like Latin, pre-revolutionary French literature, Greek, English and some philosophy. These classical studies were designed to aid Laurier in the priesthood but instead, in 1860, Laurier enrolled in the law program at McGill University. In 1864, he graduated at the top of his class and was chosen to give the valedictorian address. In this address, he told his fellow classmates that a lawyer had to defend an individual from the strong, even the church and state, and that it was an obligation, as a lawyer to seek justice and freedom not matter differences in religion, language or history. The same year he would be called to the bar and later established a small practice in Montreal.

Laurier practiced law and joined the Liberal social circles of the day taking part in debates. It was a busy and stressful life and with Laurier's ill health he was uncertain if this was the right career pursuit. He made the decision to leave Montreal and went to L'Assomption where is took over the duties as editor in chief of the newspaper Le Defricheur. It was a liberal newspaper. He would then marry Zoe Lafontaine in 1868. In 1871, Laurier won a seat in the legislature and was elected to the National Assembly in Quebec City for the Liberals only to resign 3 years later. He was elected to the House of Commons this same year. It was here that Laurier worked towards sound protection and cooperation between the French and English of Canada. This would become a life long crusade for Laurier as he strove for national unity.

Laurier gained party stature serving briefly as Minister of Inland Revenue during Prime Minister's Alexander MacKenzie's administration. This promotion did not last because the Conservatives defeated the Liberals. It was at this time that Laurier decided to take a break from politics. A few years later, the Riel Rebellion would revive Laurier's desire to pursue his career in politics, as he knew he had something to offer the new country. Similarly, Laurier knew he could offer something to the Riel crisis. The Metis were losing their land to new English immigrants and they were being forced to move west to Saskatchewan. The Metis wanted a fair compensation that the government was unwilling to provide. Disappointed, the Metis asked Louis Riel for his help. When Riel realized that there would be no settlement that the Northern Rebellion occurred. Laurier decided to defend the cause because he believed in minority rights but he did not approve of Riel. Riel would later surrender to be tried of treason and executed. This incident increased tensions between the French and English but because Laurier was a participant, he gained much of the French community. Parliament would later note his words on the situation, " we cannot make a nation of this new country by shedding blood".

Opportunity would find Laurier again in 1887 when the party leader Edward Blake resigned as he was elected to be his successor. Laurier came to power in 1896 when the Liberals won the general election. He was Canada's first French Canadian (and first Roman Catholic) Prime Minister. This began a long career in politics; Laurier still holds the record for the longest continuous term as a member of Parliament (41 years and 2.5 months).

Laurier would stress the importance of nation unity in his policies (largely due to his background) and tried to bring French and English Canada closer together. He wanted a compromise between French and English in Canada and since he was bilingual, he spent much of his time trying to achieve this. Who better to bridge the gap? He believed in British Liberalism respecting Britain and its imperial tradition. Using this groundwork, Laurier wanted to build a strong national image for Canada. During his reign, Laurier accomplished and became known for:

• his adoption of the regulations on the Manitoba School Question in 1896 (complex issues concerning French and English language rights, Catholic and Protestant education and federal and provincial powers),
• plebiscite on Prohibition in 1898,
• the Alaskan boundary dispute in 1903,
• construction of the second transcontinental railroad in 1903,
• the creation of the Yukon territory in 1898,
• the creation of 2 new provinces Saskatchewan and Alberta in 1905,
• the formation of Departments of Labour in 1900 and External Affairs in 1909,
• the dawn of the Royal Canadian Navy in 1910 and Canadian control of her defenses,
• the recruitment of immigrants to the West (one million alone between 1900 & 1910),
• tariff arrangements with the United States and Britain,
• proposed reciprocity treaty with the United States,
• the Northern Rebellion & the Riel crisis,
• the Boer War, and
• Canadian participation in the South African War (1899-1902).

These were all issues that provoked emotional debates between French Canadians and English Canadians that could easily divide the country.

At the Diamond Jubilee celebrations of Queen Victoria in 1897, Laurier was surprised by the Queen and was the recipient of a knighthood. He had declined the honour when invited to the Diamond Jubilee but preparations had already been made. (Laurier knew it was a ploy to reestablish control over foreign policy and Canadian defense).

For more than 15 years, Laurier's policy of compromise earned him the nickname of the "Great Conciliator", and kept him at the head of the country. However, in 1911 Canada was deeply divided on the issues of reciprocity and naval construction. The Laurier government's unpopular policies brought about its defeat, and Laurier became Leader of the Opposition. As the leader of the Opposition party, Laurier supported the new Prime Minister's (Sir Robert Borden) decision to immediately supply military support for Britain upon the outbreak of WWI in 1914 but was firm in his belief the conscription should be voluntary. This belief would subsequently divide the Liberal Party when he refused to form a coalition with the Conservative government that cost his party a heavy defeat in the 1917 general election.

Laurier passed away on February 17, 1919 in Ottawa, Ontario of a stroke while he was still a member of the House of Commons. His funeral drew 50,000 people who lined the streets of Ottawa for the funeral procession. He was buried in the Notre Dame Cemetery in Ottawa. Here his grave expresses itself in size not words. His funeral was one of the first Canadian public events recorded on film.

References:
http://www.nlc-bnc.ca/primeministers/h4-3181-e.html

http://edimage.ca/edimage/grandspersonnages/en/carte_r07.html

Barbara Robinson, Sir Wilfrid Laurier: The Great Conciliator, Quarry Press.

Oscar Douglas Skelton, Life & Letters of Sir Wilfrid Laurier, Carelton University Press.