Robert Borden’s government imposed a number of measures, including conscription, to show Britain that Canada was united in the war effort and in its support of the Crown. His decision was immediately denounced by certain sectors of the population, who organized protest marches. Popular resentment was expressed in newspapers such as Le Devoir, which advocated economic support from Canada with the continuation of strictly voluntary enlistment. The founder and editor of this paper, Henri Bourassa, publicly withdrew his support for the federal government.
