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National Policy (Plain-Language Summary)
The National Policy was a protectionist policy. It was a main focus of the Conservative Party for decades. It began under Prime Minister John A. Macdonald. It continued under many of his successors. Under the policy, Canada imposed high tariffs (taxes) on imported goods. This shielded manufacturers in Canada from US competition. The policy was in effect from 1878 until the Second World War. This article is a plain-language summary of the National Policy. If you would like to read about this topic in more depth, please see our full-length entry: National Policy.