Inter-Canada Politics
Early 20th century Canada was a young nation still deciding what kind of country it would be. Meanwhile, provinces and territories developed their own distinct cultures, values, and traditions. As they staked their claim for power, these provinces diversified the meaning of Canada and Canadians.
Cartoonists illustrated the growing questions over Britain’s role, the distinct culture of French Canada, and the concerns arising from the new Western provinces.
McConnell’s portrayal of people and cultures outside of white, Protestant Ontario was often offensive and dehumanizing. In this cartoon, he portrays the West is a wild, bucking bull. Quebec is portrayed as Baptiste, a fur trader (coureur des bois). By portraying Western and French Canadians in this way, McConnell is signaling to readers that these people do not represent the true meaning of being Canadian. If someone only sees a group portrayed in this way, they cannot fully understand their experiences and the issues these groups were trying to address.
“Tossed the compromise. Sir Wilfrid:- “Gar! Baptiste, that brute is making me so nervous.”
Newton McConnell, circa 1910, C 301-0-0-0-957, Archives of Ontario, I0008894
“The next favor. ‘A flag to suit the minority.’”
Can you identify any symbols on the flag in this cartoon?
Role of Britain
As a former British colony, many early 20th century Canadians still had strong British ties. Those without ties felt Canada should strike out on its own. This struggle over Canadian values and representation played out in the cartoons from the era.
Left out of these debates over authority and independence were Indigenous peoples… Indigenous peoples saw their land, rights, and freedoms continuously taken away by British, French, Canadian, and American powers.However, as provinces joined the confederation, fighting for power and representation, Indigenous peoples were further displaced. In the following cartoons, notice how different sides are portrayed and whether the artist has represented all points of view.
After the death of King Edward VII in 1910, English Canadians mourned the loss of their monarch. Here a young female figure representing Canada cries beside his casket.
The monarch of Great Britain (now the United Kingdom) is also the head of state in Canada. While the monarch mostly occupies a ceremonial role, this cartoon shows how many Canadians still felt deeply connected to Great Britain. Would Canadians today still mourn the loss as deeply as Miss Canada does in the cartoon?
“Our King”
Newton McConnell, circa 1910, C 301-0-0-0-4, Archives of Ontario, I0005909
Through the magnifier...
In 1910, hundreds of mourners packed into Toronto’s Queen’s Park to grieve the loss of King Edward VII.
“Edward VII; Memorial Service, Parliament Buildings”
Pringle and Booth (Toronto). 1910.
Toronto Public Library, 987-3
Canadian Identity on Battlefield
Britain’s influence in Canada extended beyond the monarchy in the 1910s. At the time, Canadians debated whether they should create their own army or continue to support Britain’s.
The governing Liberal party struggled to negotiate different interests. The government wanted their own navy, French Canadians refused to support one, and English Canadians desired to remain close to Britain. Without a clear compromise in sight, editorial cartoonists had fun with this battle but also inserted their own opinions over Canadian identity.
Here, McConnell pokes fun at the government’s efforts as the Liberal Member of Parliament, William Pugsley, says “we made such splendid preparations for it,” while standing beside a wharf made out of weak, crumbling saw dust.
“Hon. Wm.Pugsley: No Canadian Navy, and we made such splendid preparations for it!”
Newton McConnell, circa 1910, C 301-0-0-0-979, Archives of Ontario, I0008916
“Quebec must not rule all Canada”
Britain’s influence in Canada extended beyond the monarchy in the 1910s. At the time, Canadians debated whether they should create their own army or continue to support Britain’s.
"A Solid Quebec Will Vote to Rule All Canada Only a Solid Ontario Can Defeat Them"
The governing Liberal party struggled to negotiate different interests. The government wanted their own navy, French Canadians refused to support one, and English Canadians desired to remain close to Britain. Without a clear compromise in sight, editorial cartoonists had fun with this battle but also inserted their own opinions over Canadian identity.
The New West
Power in Canada was concentrated in Ontario. Many of the country’s editorial cartoonists were also located there at newspapers that wanted to keep those old power structures. This was threatened with new provinces gaining political representation.
In 1905, the southern part of the Northwest Territories divided into two new provinces: Alberta and Saskatchewan. Albertans and Saskatchewanians struggled to keep their independence and identity.
Alberta and Sakatchewan were just in their provincial infancy in the 1900s – quite literally in this cartoon. Ontario, however, still remained the dominant political force. They controlled the government and major newspapers of the day.
Imagine you are an editorial cartoonist living in western Canada in the 1900s. Would your portrayal of the West differ from McConnell’s?
“He won’t be happy ’till he gets it.”
Newton McConnell, circa 1910, C 301-0-0-0-950, Archives of Ontario, I0008887
Have you ever put on clothes that just didn’t fit or feel like you? It can bring up feelings of shame, embarrassment, and discomfort.
How do you think the man in the cartoon feels stuffed into an ill-fitting “Western Autonomy Suit?” He knows the clothes do not fit him and instead asks Laurier to “give [him] back [his] Territorial buck-skins.”
“The West: If this is the best you fellows can do, give me back my Territorial buck-skins.”
Newton McConnell, circa 1910, C 301-0-0-0-946, Archives of Ontario, I0008883
Prime Minister Laurier could not appease Canadians over the issue of provincial rights. Taking up the sword of former Prime Minister Charles Tupper and wearing the outfit of an Ancient Roman warrior, it looks like Laurier is preparing for battle…
However, McConnell knew his readers would likely remember the 1896 argument between the Liberals and Conservatives over provincial rights. Laurier’s characterization here is suggesting he’s a shifty figure, able to change his appearance for political gain.
“A bad change. Is the ‘Provincial Rights Champion’ of ’96 now going to change swords?”
Newton McConnell, circa 1910, C 301-0-0-0-945, Archives of Ontario, I0008882
Who is present in the cartoons is just as important as who is not. We see in these cartoons politicians and representations of provinces, such as this one with Wilfrid Laurier and Province of Manitoba as a bull.
But who is missing from these cartoons that is also concerned with Canada’s expansion? The voices and faces dominant throughout these cartoons are those from Western European backgrounds, but they weren’t the only ones living in Canada.
“Another interruption. Sir Wilfrid:- Now what does that old bull in the small pen want to start butting in for?”
Newton McConnell, circa 1910, C 301-0-0-0-939, Archives of Ontario, I0008876
Conclusion
What these cartoons help reveal is that there was no prevailing idea over what Canada is and what it meant to be Canadian to those living in the country. Yet, McConnell clearly shows a bias towards a Canada that is represented by English Canadians with British heritage. These cartoons reveal the political values of the dominant newspapers who were interested in preserving their own interests, at the cost of those outside the British-heritage majority.