Why did Quebec nationalists oppose Wilfrid Laurier’s naval policy?

Quebec nationalists opposed Prime Minister Wilfrid Laurier’s 1910 naval policy primarily because they viewed it as an imperialistic measure that would entangle Canada in Britain's overseas conflicts.1

The policy, which established a Canadian navy that would be placed under British command during wartime, was met with intense criticism from nationalists led by Henri Bourassa. Their opposition was rooted in several key concerns:12

• Imperialism: Nationalists denounced the naval program as a surrender to British imperial interests rather than a focus on Canadian autonomy.1
• Fear of Conscription: Critics argued that by creating a navy tied to the British fleet, the government was effectively paving the way for future conscription to support Britain’s wars.1
• Political Impact: This "clamorous opposition" significantly weakened Laurier’s support in Quebec, contributing to the defeat of government candidates in by-elections and foreshadowing his eventual loss in the 1911 general election.1

Ultimately, for these nationalists, the naval policy represented a compromise that threatened to sacrifice French Canada’s interests to the demands of the British Empire.31