atly influenced politically by the British during this time. During the period before World War I, Canada had its own government, but Canada itself was controlled by British laws and policies. The Governor General is the symbolic head of the country, because he or she is the direct representative of the reigning British monarch. Today Adrienne Clarkson represents Queen Elizabeth II as the Governor General of Canada and opens parliament. Nevertheless, Canada's main political views during the Pre-World War I period were shaped by colonialism and imperialism. Accordingly, Canada was a British colony and proud of it: "No flag but the Union Jack will ever wave over Canada." Canada's political policies were imperialistic, meaning they were controlled by the head of the empire and were meant to benefit the leading country. For instance, Canada exported beaver furs, timber, and cod along with many other of its natural resources to Britain because they lacked resources for their industry. Canadians did this proudly because " imperialism is intensely and supremely a national affair." They believed whatever benefited the mother country would benefit them. Even, imperial economic trade policies proposed free trade within the British Empire to benefit the colonies and prevent American economic take over. Accordingly, Canadian imperialists adopted the British economic hatred of the Americans. This hatred of the Americans is reproduced in Canadian economic policies especially those concerning trade. Lorne Murchison, the protagonist of The Imperialist, in one of his political speeches in the South Fox County by-election speaks, about the dangers of trade with America and its consequences: "But the alternative before Canada is not a mere choice of markets; we are confronted with a much graver issue. In this matter of dealing with our neighbour our very existence is involved. If we would preserve ourselves as a nation, it has become our business, not onl...
