History from the podium
In 1992, the Canadian, U.S., and Mexican governments were negotiating the North American Free Trade Agreement. Canadian civil society groups and many unions were opposed. They said the trade agreement would she jobs and undermine Canadian sovereignty. Maude Barlow, chair of the Council of Canadians presented those arguments to a House of Commons committee.
Free trade with the U.S. has long been an issue in Canadian politics. When he ran for leader of the Progressive Conservatives in 1983, Brian Mulroney vigorously opposed any talk of free trade. But when he was later elected in 1984, he became an enthusiastic advocate. He gave this speech to a Chamber of Commerce gathering in Montreal in 1987.
Free trade, or reciprocity, with the U.S., was the big issue in Canada's federal election campaign in 1891. The Liberal-Reform Party led by Wilfrid Laurier was for it, and the Conservatives, led by their aging leader Sir John A. Macdonald, were opposed. Macdonald gave a famous speech saying no to what he said would result in Canada's being absorbed by the U.S. He won the election.
Following the First World War, drought, low prices, and a general distrust of old line politicians gave rise to agrarian populist parties. They were anti-politician, agitating against rigid party discipline and patronage. They argued against protective tariffs, which they believed pampered Canadian industries, and in favour of free trade, which they said would benefit farmers.... Continue Reading →
Shirley Carr was the first woman to lead the Canadian Labour Congress. She could be blunt,as indicated in this speech made to a Canadian Club audience in 1986, shortly after her becoming CLC president. Employers and governments, she said, must recognize that unions are legitimate representatives of the interests of working people, and should be... Continue Reading →
John Turner (left) debates Brian Mulroney on free trade, 1988 The mother of all election debates occurred in 1988 over free trade between Canada and the US. Brian Mulroney had defeated John Turner and the Liberals in the 1984 election. Mulroney scored a coup in the televised debate that year by attacking Turner for making... Continue Reading →
Canada’s Foreign Affairs Minister Chrystia Freeland was named “diplomat of the year” at a forum hosted by the Washington, D.C.-based Foreign Policy magazine in June 2018. In her acceptance speech, Freeland talked about both the strengths of democratic societies and the threats to them. She also defended a globalized, free-trade order against the protectionist measures being taken... Continue Reading →
U.S. President Donald Trump has imposed tariffs on Canadian steel and aluminium and is threatening to do the same on automobiles. He has attacked Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as weak, dishonest and worse. Back in the 1880s, Professor Goldwin Smith of Toronto acted as a self-appointed proponent of Canada's full commercial and political union with the... Continue Reading →
Free trade is a timely topic in 2017 as Canada renegotiates NAFTA with the United States and Mexico. Back in 1998, Bob White was prominent ilabour leader in a citizens’ movement opposing the Free Trade Agreement with the United States. White made this speech to the convention of the United Fisherman and Allied Workers Union in... Continue Reading →
Great Canadian Speeches 