In the beginning of the twentieth century, Canada was set on the road towards economic growth and political independence. The completion of the Canadian Pacific Railway contributed to Canada’s growing population, especially in the Prairies. New agricultural technology were making farm labour more productive, while new industrial technology was making urbanization possible. It was easy for Canadians to agree when Prime Minister Wilfrid Laurier declared in 1904 that although “the nineteenth century was the century of the United States […] we can claim that Canada will fill the twentieth century.” The nineteenth century had been a period of rapid growth for the United States. Investment in industrial projects meant massive growth in the economy, and the concept of Manifest Destiny had led to huge territorial expansion. However, if Laurier had meant for Canada to follow in the footsteps of the United States, he was incorrect. In fact, in the beginning of the century, Canada was far from being independent. It was only later in the twentieth century that Canada established herself as a world leader on the international stage, through her policies of peace.