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Canada went to war a century ago not with a vote in Parliament, nor even a vote in cabinet. It was a decision made in London.

On Aug. 4, 1914, a telegram was delivered to the home of the governor general of the time, the Duke of Connaught, informing him that Britain was at war with Germany. The duke informed the government of Sir Robert Borden. And that was that.

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An extra edition of the Canada Gazette issued the next day said simply: “Aug. 4, 1914: His Royal Highness the Governor General received a telegraphic dispatch from the Secretary of State for the Colonies at 8:45 this evening announcing that war has broken out with Germany.”

No one questioned Canada’s involvement. In 1910, then-prime minister Sir Wilfrid Laurier told the Commons flatly: “When Britain is at war, Canada is at war. There is no distinction.” Four years later, Borden agreed.

The government rushed to offer troops, even though the Commons was prorogued. In British Columbia, the government of the day went even farther.