Why did many French Canadians oppose conscription during World War I?

During World War I, many French Canadians opposed conscription for several interconnected reasons:

• Lack of Enthusiasm for the War: French Canadians generally did not view the conflict as their own, and significantly fewer volunteered for military service compared to English Canadians.1
• Nationalist Sentiment: French Canadian nationalists, led by figures such as Henri Bourassa, argued that Canada should be a bilingual and bicultural nation-state independent of the British Empire. They viewed the war as an imperial conflict rather than a Canadian national necessity.21
• Cultural and Political Grievances: Tensions were exacerbated by domestic issues, specifically the restriction of the French language in schools within French districts in Ontario and Manitoba. This led many to feel that the English-speaking majority was actively depriving them of their constitutional and political rights.1
• Betrayal by Government: When Prime Minister Robert Borden’s government imposed compulsory military service in 1917, French Canadians felt deeply betrayed, viewing it as an infringement on their autonomy and a disregard for their distinct cultural identity.21