IV.

Sir Robert Borden

The Conservative Party did not come back into power until 1911, when Sir Robert Borden became prime minister. Borden continued to work on reforming the civil service, which the Liberals had begun, by expanding the scheme of advancement based on merit rather than tenure. However, Borden differed from the Liberals on naval policy and made no attempt to implement their Naval Service Act, which would have created a Canadian navy. The Conservative position was adapted to win the support of French Canadian nationalists who opposed military support for Britain.

Midway through World War I (1914-1918), Borden decided that Canada could fight the war better with a united federal government. The Conservatives and some Liberals formed a coalition, the Union Government of 1917 to 1920, which led Canada through the remainder of the war. During the war, Borden imposed nationwide conscription (drafting men to be soldiers) and direct federal taxation to support the war effort. He also nationalized some debt-plagued railroads. After the war, Borden led the Canadian delegation to the peace conference in 1919, where he was largely responsible for gaining increased international recognition of Canada’s autonomy. He retired from office in 1920.