had supported from the moment he entered public life: a country based on respect for the two founding “races,” to whom it rightfully belonged, autonomous in its relations with the British empire, and capable of directing its own economic development. Unfortunately for him, his platform did not bring the anticipated results. Success at the polls was slow in coming because of Laurier’s immense popularity, and a number of influential Conservatives were in all but name opposed to this nationalist program. The tensions within the party and the attacks on him became so unbearable that on 17 Jan. 1904 he had to resign as leader of the Quebec wing.

Monk’s convictions were unshakeable, however, and he did not hesitate to break party ranks in the House of Commons whenever hisprinciples of Canadian nationalism were challenged, especially in 1905 on the North-West school question [see Laurier]. His stand even led him to establish closer ties with Henri Bourassa* and the French Canadian nationalists, who were spreading ideas similar to his own. A proposal to create a Canadian navy, which came up in 1909, brought everything to a head. Monk, who at Borden’s request had officially resumed his position as leader of the federal Conservatives in Quebec on 28 January, vehemently denounced the resolution in an important speech delivered at Lachine on 8 Nov. 1909, in which he declared that he differed from his party on this issue. Little more was needed to impel Monk and Bourassa to join forces.

The alliance between the Quebec Conservatives led by Monk and