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Thursday, January 8, 2026

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The sad plight of classical Liberals

When the Great Depression hit, mainstream political parties in Canada embraced policies that were an anathema to classical liberalism: state welfare, higher taxes, deficit spending, government intervention in the economy.

Wilfrid Laurier, who was prime minister from 1896-1911 and one of Canada’s most celebrated prime ministers, was a classical liberal, writes Gerry Nicholls. As author Brian Lee Crowley notes in his book, The Canadian Century, Laurier promoted 'minimal state interference, low taxes and respect of property and of contract.' Photograph courtesy of Flickr
Opinion
BY GERRY NICHOLLS
September 7, 2022
Opinion | BY GERRY NICHOLLS | September 7, 2022

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