William Lyon Mackenzie King
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"September 3, 1939, Britain and France declare war on Germany following the invasion of Poland by German troops. Unlike in the First World War, Canada did not automatically go to war once Britain made its war declaration. This is because in 1931 the British Empire approved the Statute of Westminster, an agreement making all British Dominions independent and having their own responsibility for foreign affairs."
I, William Lyon Mackenzie King, held a "special sitting of Parliament with a vote immediately following the debate in the House of Commons. The majority of the Members of Parliament voted to have Canada join Britain and France in the war against Germany." September 10, 1939, Canada officially declares war on Germany.
The majority agreed with me that no conscription would be imposed. I was hesitant to immediately proceed with conscription given the outcome of this same action back in the First World War. I cautiously waited two years before imposing conscription. However, I limited the number of Canadian soldiers sent overseas to 16,000. I believe I prevented a serious crisis in Canada, one which could have deepened our alias relations between the French and English citizens.
I, William Lyon Mackenzie King, held a "special sitting of Parliament with a vote immediately following the debate in the House of Commons. The majority of the Members of Parliament voted to have Canada join Britain and France in the war against Germany." September 10, 1939, Canada officially declares war on Germany.
The majority agreed with me that no conscription would be imposed. I was hesitant to immediately proceed with conscription given the outcome of this same action back in the First World War. I cautiously waited two years before imposing conscription. However, I limited the number of Canadian soldiers sent overseas to 16,000. I believe I prevented a serious crisis in Canada, one which could have deepened our alias relations between the French and English citizens.