Sir Clifford Sifton

Born near London, Upper Canada, Sifton as lawyer, politician, businessman and principal owner of the influential Manitoba Free Press, had great impact on Canadian development. As a member of the Manitoba Cabinet, he was instrumental in the compormise of the controversial achool issue. As Laurier’s Minister of the Interior (1896-1905) he was chiefly responsible for the plan to populate the Prairies with farmers. Leaving the cabinet in 1905, he made his home, thereafter, in Toronto. He remained in the Commons until 1911, but even out of office his political influence continued until his death.

Avocat, politicien, homme d’affaires et propriétaire principal de la prestigieuse Manitoba Free Press, Sifton influença beaucoup la politique et l’expansion économique du Canada au début du XXe siècle. Membre du gouvernement manitobain, il aida à résoudre l’épineux problème des écoles. En tant que ministre de l’Intérieur sous Laurier (1896-1905), il joua un rôle capital dans le développement des Prairies par sa politique d’immigration. En 1905, il démissionna du cabinet, mais il resta député jusqu’en 1911, et son influence politique se maintint jusqu’ à sa mort.