Answer to Question #243892 in History for Faiza

Question

Why did the governments of both John A. Macdonald and Wilfrid Laurier expend so much money and effort trying to settle the West? What was the 'product they had to sell?

Answer 1

The Blacks and Mormons, both American-based populations, came to Western Canada to escape the discrimination they faced in the United States. ... In Europe, as in the United States, governments were making restrictive laws which prohibited many groups from living free and happy lives. This was meant to bolster political stronghold by providing labour. They sold food products to the population.