Building Of the canadian pacific railway
- Before the building of the CPR could start, J.A. MacDonald needed financial aid to commence the project
- After the Pacific Scandal, the project was put on hold because the Conservatives lost power
- Alexander Mackenzie (2nd P. Minister) who was leader of Liberals didn't want a railway
- He allowed Sandford Fleming to survey the the route to the Pacific Ocean
- BC threatened seceding from Confederation because the railway was not being built
- The Conservatives came back into power in 1878 and MacDonald included the CPR in the National Policy
- William Van Horne was manager of CPR, George Stephen, Donald Smith and James Hill were financiers
- The government stepped in to aid financially in 1884 (22.5 million)
- 35,000 workers (majority chinese), many of whom died
- Completed 5 years ahead of schedule (1885) due to the importance of moving troops
Summary
After John A. MacDonald lost power, the liberals did not want the Railway to be built. When the conservatives came back into power the railway was completed 5 years earlier than planned.
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