Who was the individual that shaped Canada's immigration policy in the late 1800s?

The individual who significantly shaped Canada's immigration policy in the late 1800s was Clifford Sifton. As the Minister of the Interior from 1896 to 1905, Sifton played a pivotal role in promoting and facilitating immigration to Canada. He understood the importance of attracting settlers to populate the vast lands of the western provinces and initiated aggressive marketing campaigns in Europe, particularly targeting farmers from Britain and Eastern Europe who were seen as ideal immigrants for Canada's agricultural development.

Sifton's policies were characterized by his belief in the need for a diverse influx of immigrants to help build the nation. He was instrumental in creating an environment that welcomed settlers, which included establishing immigration offices in Europe and promoting the availability of land. His strategies not only increased the number of immigrants arriving in Canada but also laid the groundwork for future immigration policies.

The other individuals mentioned were influential in different ways or in different contexts. John A. Macdonald, as Canada's first Prime Minister, was more focused on nation-building and the establishment of the Canadian Confederation. George Brown was a Father of Confederation known for his role in promoting the union of the provinces, while Wilfred Laurier, who became Prime Minister later, had a different approach to immigration policies that reflected the changing social dynamics of