Why did Henri Bourassa and other Quebec nationalists oppose Canadian involvement in Britain’s wars?

Quebec nationalists, led by figures such as Henri Bourassa, opposed Canadian involvement in Britain’s imperial wars primarily because they viewed these conflicts as foreign interests that did not concern Canada.12

This opposition was rooted in a broader nationalist vision that sought to define Canada as an independent, bilingual, and bicultural nation-state, rather than a mere colony of the British Empire. Bourassa and his supporters argued that Canada should declare its independence and become a full-fledged member of the international community, free from the obligation to participate in British military ventures.34

Tensions were further exacerbated by domestic policies related to these wars. Nationalists feared that imperial defense commitments—such as the creation of a Canadian navy in 1910—would inevitably lead to conscription for the British army. This fear became a reality during World War I, when the decision to impose conscription in 1917 caused deep resentment among French Canadians, who felt betrayed by the federal government. Ultimately, these nationalists believed that the English-speaking majority was prioritizing imperial loyalty over the political and constitutional rights of French Canadians.134