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Wilfrid Laurier Facts & Worksheets

Sir Wilfrid Laurier was the first French-Canadian prime minister of the Dominion of Canada.

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Sir Wilfrid Laurier was the first French-Canadian prime minister of the Dominion of Canada, noted especially for his attempts to define the role of French Canada in the federal state and to define Canada’s relations to Great Britain.

See the fact file below for more information on the Wilfrid Laurier or alternatively, you can download our 23-page Wilfrid Laurier worksheet pack to utilise within the classroom or home environment.

Key Facts & Information

AEDUCATION AND EARLY CAREER

  • Wilfrid was born in Saint-Lin, Canada East (Saint-Lin- Laurentides, Quebec), on November 20, 1841 and the second child of Carolus Laurier and Marcelle Martineau.
  • He studied at the college at l’Assomption, an educational institution ran by Catholic priests. Wilfrid then finished his law studies at McGill University in 1864.
  • Inspired by his prior exposure to political environment through his membership in Institut Canadien, Wilfrid spent his first few years in law practice with leading Rouge politicians. He also contributed a number of articles to radical newspapers voicing out his political view towards the government.
  • Through his newspaper Le Défricheur, he expressed his opposition towards the Confederation.
  • He argued that that French Canadians would be politically overwhelmed if the federal government would be granted more political control.
  • In 1871, his political endeavor began after being elected in bench of the provincial legislature of Quebec.
  • Three years later, he resigned from his provincial seat to run for election to the House of Commons. He obtained a seat and of which he was to be a member until his death.
  • In 1877 to 1878, Laurier was appointed minister of inland revenue.
  • He gained political fame after trying to intervene against the execution of Manitoba founder and Metis Leader Louis Riel after a rebellion. Although Laurier failed to save his life, he established Riel’s reputation as a man of principle and high ideals.
  • With his moderate political approach, Laurier had to face opposition when he was chosen to succeed Edward Blake to lead the Liberal Party.
  • In 1887, he eventually led the Liberal party and immediately established political alliance with the United States through unrestricted reciprocity.
  • Although this move was not openly accepted, the Liberal Party won a majority of the seats in Quebec.
  • Between 1891 and 1896, Laurier expanded his platform into protecting the Canadian industries, the settlement of the west, and the effective implementation the transportation system.
  • When the Manitoba Liberals established a uniform school system in place of the separate school system, the Catholic minority protested. He did not make a political stance but the public believed he would be supporting the minority.
  • Taking advantage of the disorganized opposition party: the Conservative government, Laurier led the Liberal party to victory and he was chosen as Prime Minister on June 23, 1896.

PRIME MINISTER

  • Now a Prime Minister, Laurier focused on country’s development and national unity. Specifically:
    • Signed the Laurier-Greenway agreement: allowing for instruction in minority languages other than English.
    • Reorganized the immigration system and lowered tariffs but established a protection policy in favor of the government.
    • Actively resisted Great Britain’s political proposals that might eventually commit Canada to defense responsibilities.
    • Promoted wheat farming and built Canada’s second transcontinental rail system: the Grand Trunk Pacific Railway.
    • Approval of the construction of a third transcontinental line.
    • On his next term (1904), he added two new provinces to the Dominion of Canada: Alberta and Saskatchewan. This posed problems because he, once again, compromised the education system and denied a minority group of separate schools.
    • Approval of the Naval Service Act establishing a Canadian navy of five cruisers and six destroyers ready to fight along Great Britain (his third term in 1908).
    • Reciprocity with the United States: Permitting free trade of natural products; and a limited number of manufactured products.

END OF TERM AND LEGACY

  • Following so much criticism on many of his latest decisions, Laurier was defeated in the 1911 elections.
  • He remained the leader of the opposition and criticized some of the new government’s actions such as the contribution of $35 million to Great Britain to strengthen its navy, and the financial assistance provided to the Canadian Northern Railway.
  • Laurier died on February 17, 1919.
  • For the Canadians, he was revered to have worked for cooperation between French- and English-speaking Canadians for the purpose of national unity while keeping Canada as independent as possible from Britain.
  • He served four terms in 1896, 1900, 1904 and 1908, spanning twelve years of prime ministerial leadership.

Wilfrid Laurier Worksheets

This is a fantastic bundle which includes everything you need to know about Wilfrid Laurier across 23 in-depth pages. These are ready-to-use Wilfrid Laurier worksheets that are perfect for teaching students about Sir Wilfrid Laurier who was the first French-Canadian prime minister of the Dominion of Canada, noted especially for his attempts to define the role of French Canada in the federal state and to define Canada’s relations to Great Britain.

Complete List Of Included Worksheets

  • Wilfrid Laurier Facts
  • Dominion of Canada
  • Canada then and now
  • Laurier’s Time
  • Liberals vs. Conservatives
  • First Prime Ministers
  • Duties of a Prime Minister
  • Laurier’s Legacy
  • Words of Wisdom
  • Head-of-State Feature Story
  • Acrostics

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Use With Any Curriculum

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