Wilfrid Laurier

Sir Henri Charles Wilfrid Laurier GCMG PC KC (20 November 1841 – 17 February 1919), known as Wilfrid Laurier (French: [wilfʁid loʁje]; English /ˈlɔːrieɪ/; lor-yay), was the seventh Prime Minister of Canada, in office from 11 July 1896, to 6 October 1911.

Canada's first francophone prime minister, Laurier is often considered one of the country's greatest statesmen. He is well known for his policies of conciliation, expanding Confederation, and compromise between French and English Canada. His vision for Canada was a land of individual liberty and decentralized federalism. He also argued for an English-French partnership in Canada. "I have had before me as a pillar of fire," he said, "a policy of true Canadianism, of moderation, of reconciliation." He passionately defended individual liberty, "Canada is free and freedom is its nationality," and "Nothing will prevent me from continuing my task of preserving at all cost our civil liberty." Laurier was also well-regarded for his efforts to establish Canada as an autonomous country within the British Empire, and he supported the continuation of the Empire if it was based on "absolute liberty political and commercial". A 2011 Maclean's historical ranking of the Prime Ministers placed Laurier first.

Laurier (disambiguation)

Laurier is the French word for the laurel plant, and is a francophone family name, common in Canada.

Sir Wilfrid Laurier (20 November 1841 – 17 February 1919) was the seventh Prime Minister of Canada from 11 July 1896 to 5 October 1911. As Canada's first francophone prime minister, Laurier is often considered one of the country's greatest statesmen.

Laurier can also refer to:

People

Politics

CCGS Sir Wilfrid Laurier

CCGS Sir Wilfrid Laurier is a light icebreaker and Major Navaids Tender of the Canadian Coast Guard. Built in 1986 by Canadian Shipbuilding at Collingwood, Ontario, Canada, she was the last ship built there. The ship is currently based out of Victoria, British Columbia.

Design

Engine

Like CCGS Martha L. Black, Sir Wilfrid Laurier has three locomotive engines, ALCO-Bombardier 251F-16V.

Workboat/lifeboat

Sir Wilfrid Laurier's workboat/lifeboat No.1 was repurposed as a training boat/work boat that has been operated by the Maritime Affairs Committee Navy League of Canada - Outaouais Branch since 1995. The boat was named Fred Gordon, in honour of WO1 (ret’d) Fred Gordon, EM, CD former Regimental Sergeant-Major for Le Régiment de Hull (RCAC) 1967-71. Fred Gordon was a member of the Hull Legion who supported the Royal Canadian Navy Sea Cadet Corps la Hulloise (CCMRC no. 230) sponsored by the Outaouais Branch of the Navy League of Canada.

Purpose and history

Sir Wilfrid Laurier is a multi-tasked vessel which carries out a wide variety of Coast Guard programs including buoy tending, search and rescue, science work, lightstation re-supply, beacon maintenance, radio repeater site maintenance, and icebreaking/escorting, aids to navigation and science work during summer patrols in the Arctic.