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National Policy

The National Policy was a strategy put forward by the Conservative government of Sir John A. Macdonald during the election campaign of 1878 to increase Canada’s economic development through tariffs. The Conservatives returned to power that year, and Macdonald put the policy into effect in 1879. The National Policy, which would become connected with population growth and projects such as the transcontinental railway, in addition to the tariffs implemented initially, remained the basis of Canadian economic development for another century. Macdonald and his party maintained that the National Policy, along with the British connection and resistance to cultural and economic pressures from the United States, were the keys to Canada’s survival.

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Other Resources

ARCHIVED - The Policies - Sir John A. Macdonald: Canada's Patriot Statesman - Library and Archives Canada. Content archived on 5 June 2021
Building A Nation
Conservative Party - The Canadian Encyclopedia. Content archived on 17 Dec. 2024
Immigration and Settlement: 1870-1919 : Digital Resources on Manitoba History
John A. Macdonald - Wikipedia
National Policy. Content archived on 24 June 2018
National Policy - The Canadian Encyclopedia. Content archived on 17 Dec. 2024
National Policy - Wikipedia
Past Perfect: The Politically Incorrect in Cartoons! | The National Policy and Uncle Sam’s Chagrin
Sir John A. Macdonald – Dictionary of Canadian Biography
Sir John Alexander Macdonald - Canada's 1st Prime Minister - Library and Archives Canada. Content archived on 22 Apr. 2021
The National Policy | Canadian History: Post-Confederation

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We acknowledge the support of the Government of Canada.

Nous reconnaissons l’appui du gouvernement du Canada.

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