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

OAKVILLE, ONT.—I’d like to tell you a sad tale about a beleaguered political faction. It’s a faction no political party seems to care about it; it’s a faction no political party seems to want. The people who make up this unwanted faction are sometimes referred to as “classical liberals.�...

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