Why did Wilfrid Laurier attend Imperial Conferences?

Wilfrid Laurier attended Imperial Conferences in 1897, 1902, 1907, and 1911 primarily to defend and maintain Canadian autonomy.1

While Laurier held a sincere admiration for British institutions and liberal policies, he used these meetings to consistently resist British proposals for closer imperial ties. He was specifically concerned that such commitments might bind Canada to external defense responsibilities or otherwise dilute the nation's independence. By steadfastly opposing these centralizing efforts, Laurier’s participation helped shape the modern concept of the British Commonwealth as an association of independent states.1