Naval aid, 1913
Prime minister Robert Borden agreed to give the English navy $35-million to bulk up its capabilities. The Liberals resisted aggressively and began a filibuster that lasted from December, 1912 to May, 1913. The Conservative government's refusal to participate in the debates had Liberals describing them as the "mute majority." The Prime Minister spoke only to say, "We have been debating this measure for a very long time and at very great length and with a very great amount of repetition …" He eventually imposed closure on the debate for the first time in Canadian history. The bill was defeated two weeks later by the Liberal majority in the Senate. The First World War began shortly afterward.
Pipeline, 1956
Before a filibuster could even begin, the Liberal-led government invoked closure, limiting debate on the government's plan to have a trans-Canada pipeline built from Alberta to Central Canada. This led to vicious debate in Parliament, with the Conservatives accusing the government of flouting parliamentary procedure and kowtowing to American investors. The debate lasted from May 8 until June 6. In response to Conservative assertions that they'd been gagged by the government, External Affairs minister Lester B. Pearson said, "If that is true then they are the noisiest group of gagged men in history." The bill was passed but, before the pipeline was completed in 1958, the Liberal government fell.
Flag, 1964
French Canadians sat back and watched as English-speaking politicians went to battle over the flag in 1964. At issue was whether to include a tribute to Canada's colonial past or focus on allegiance to Canada in the national symbol. Conservative leader John Diefenbaker insisted the flag honour the "founding races." He described the Conservative-led filibuster as an attempt to stop "this headstrong and stubborn rush toward the flag." The issue was eventually referred to a committee, which recommended the red maple leaf on white background with red bars. The Liberals eventually invoked closure and, by December, Canada had a flag.
Amalgamation, 1997
In April of 1997, the Ontario New Democratic Party developed a distinct form of filibuster. With the help of the Liberals, they kept the legislature open for just under 10 days to resist the introduction of Bill 103, a proposal to amalgamate Metro Toronto. The parties introduced over 12,000 minor amendments to the proposed bill over a marathon session of the legislature that continued day and night. "Rarely has the legislative patience of any Canadian government been tested to this degree," The Globe and Mail wrote at the time, as MPPs voted yea or nay to each amendment. The bill passed.