In our first-ever Listening T.O. Mini, we discuss the history of free trade and tariffs in Canada's and Toronto's history. In particular, we focus on 1911, when a group of Toronto elites who had supported the Liberal Party broke with it over the party's pursuit of a free trade agreement with the United States. We also discuss the federal election held later that year (which was largely a referendum on the proposed agreement) and how Toronto voted in it.

A few additional sources, for those who are interested:

• Paul Stevens, The 1911 General Election: A Study in Canadian Politics (Toronto: Copp Clark, 1970)
• Patrice Dutil and David MacKenzie, Canada 1911: The Decisive Election that Shaped the Country (Toronto: Dundurn Press, 2011)
• The Manifesto of the Toronto Eighteen, in the Toronto World, 20 February 1911, accessible at https://www.canadiana.ca/view/oocihm.N_00367_19110220/1

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Listening T.O. History is created and hosted by Steve Penfold and Louis Reed-Wood. Our artwork was made by Nethkaria, our intro music was recorded by the National Promenade Band, and our outro music was created by Holizna. Follow us on Instagram (https://www.instagram.com/listeningt.o.history) and Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/people/Listening-TO-History/61553456499160/) for additional content and announcements, and get in touch at listeningTOhistory[at]gmail.com!