 Soon after , Sifton made a trip east and spoke on the subject of provincial resource control to the Canadian Club of Toronto , where his points were well received . In May 1910 , Sifton and Saskatchewan Premier Walter Scott met with Laurier in Ottawa , where he was able to secure the Prime Minister 's agreement that if the Liberals were re @-@ elected in the 1911 federal election they would transfer to Alberta control over its resources . This election was fought primarily on the issue of reciprocity , which was popular in Alberta , and Sifton campaigned actively for Laurier ( distinguishing himself from his brother , who broke with Laurier on reciprocity ) . Despite winning six of Alberta 's seven seats , the Liberals were defeated by Robert Borden 's Conservatives . 
