jan 12, 1910 - Naval Service Bill

Description:

1908, the British government asked its dominions, particularly self-governing nations such as Canada and Australia, to donate money to help build up its navy. Because many French Canadians opposed this policy, Priminister SIr Wilfred instead introduced the Naval Service Bill in Parliament on January 12, 1910. This bill proposed that Canada was to build a small navy of its own instead and allow it to be placed under British control during war. The bill was passed and by the end of 1910, the Royal Canadian Navy (RCN) was created and comprised of two former British Royal Navy vessels.
But both French Canadians and imperialists were opposed to this bill. French Canadians claimed that they felt that the establishment of the RCN was worse than directly giving cash to the British and that Canadians would risk being pulled into every British War. They were also concerned that the navy would mean conscription for the Canadian people. The imperialists claimed that Canada was not contributing enough to Britain and was showing little loyalty.
In 1913, opposing party of Laurier opted to remove the bill but ultimately failed.