Editing Wilfrid Laurier (section)

===Reciprocity and defeat===
In 1911, controversy arose regarding Laurier's support of trade [[reciprocity (Canadian politics)|reciprocity]] with the United States. His long-serving minister of finance, [[William Stevens Fielding]], reached an agreement allowing for the free trade of natural products. The agreement would also lower [[tariff]]s. This had the strong support of agricultural interests, particularly in Western Canada, but it alienated many businessmen who formed a significant part of the Liberal base. The [[Conservative Party of Canada (historical)|Conservatives]] denounced the deal and played on long-standing fears that reciprocity could eventually lead to weakened ties with Britain and a Canadian economy dominated by the United States. They also campaigned on fears that this would lead to the Canadian identity being taken away by the US and the American annexation of Canada.<ref name="WLbio" /><ref>{{cite encyclopedia|encyclopedia=[[The Canadian Encyclopedia]]|title=Wilfrid Laurier|url=https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/sir-wilfrid-laurier|access-date=January 31, 2022}}</ref>

Contending with an unruly House of Commons, including vocal disapproval from Liberal MP [[Clifford Sifton]], Laurier called [[1911 Canadian federal election|an election]] to settle the issue of reciprocity. The Conservatives were victorious and the Liberals lost over a third of their seats. The Conservatives' leader, [[Robert Laird Borden]], succeeded Laurier as prime minister. Over 15 consecutive years of Liberal rule ended.<ref name="WLbio" />