Laurier and the British Columbia Liberal party, 1896-1911 : a study in federal-provincial party relations

A study of the British Columbia Liberal party during the Laurier period from 1896 to 1911 reveals the political immaturity which still existed in the western Province. By 1896 conviction was still lacking that party politics was the most acceptable method of governing the Province. Although both Liberal and Conservative parties were organizing, the majority of the population were uninterested in importing Eastern political quarrels; they felt that personal rule was superior for British Columbia. In consequence, when Laurier called the Liberal National Convention in 1893, British Columbia sent no delegates. The Liberal organization, founded in the province in 1887, was loathe to show too great interest in a Dominion gathering. Prior to 1896 the representatives sent to Ottawa from British Columbia had all professed to being Conservatives but with Laurier's coming to office four of the six British Columbia members called themselves Liberals. Until 1908 the Liberals sent a majority to the federal House from the western Province. But the 1908 and 1911 elections saw a complete annihilation of the Liberal cause. Within the Province the Liberals fared even less well. Before 1903 the provincial government was organized on the basis of personal factions which eventually resulted in great instability. In 1903 party politics were accepted by Richard McBride, the Conservative leader; from that time the Liberals remained in Opposition. At no time were they able to gain a majority during Laurier's regime and by 1911 they were all but eclipsed, having only one member in the British Columbia legislature. To explain this rather peculiar situation, since the Province had gained a reputation for opportunism, we find that in British Columbia the Liberal party seemed to be plagued by dissension from its inception. At no time, from 1887 to 1911, was there complete unity of purpose within the provincial organization. This quarreling and uncertainty of party philosophy disrupted party ranks and prevented intensive election campaigns which might have won their support. Lack of a clear cut Liberal philosophy in British Columbia also resulted in problems every time that federal appointments were considered. Laurier discovered that it was impossible to make any federal appointment which would satisfy all provincial Liberals. Delays occurred which the British Columbia electorate failed to understand. At the same time, compromise candidates were frequently selected in an attempt to satisfy the majority. British Columbia, it appeared, was not ready to accept the federal principle of working for the good of the whole rather than of the individual Province. This was demonstrated in the attitude adopted by the Liberals in the problem of Asiatic immigration and the demand for Better Terms. British Columbia politicians believed that the provincial position was unique and deserved separate treatment; geographical location and topographical difficulties were among the arguments used to support their claims. Laurier discouraged this attitude, to him, the federal union was of prime consideration. As a result, there was continual controversy between federal and provincial authorities and the cause of Liberalism did not prosper. Towards the end of the term some of the British Columbia Liberals began to understand the meaning of the party system—to accept the party philosophy and fight for it against all odds—but not until 1916 were the Liberals able to form the government.Arts, Faculty ofHistory, Department ofGraduat