Alcohol has played a HUGE role in Canadian history, as early as 1870s when the PM sent a newly formed NWMP into the vast NWT(which extended to the American border) to frighten American liquor merchants and close down their "whiskey forts" to avoid the possibility wider American immigration that could kill a larger Canada.  (Secondary consideration: "save" aboriginals from destitution and ruin due to alcohol.)  Imagine, eh?  Canada's legendary Mounties...our first anti-booze force.

The SECOND anti-booze force came, ironically, when WW I gave the Mounties a chance to duck unpopular prohibition-era booze duties.  Excuse? Gotta stop nefarious German infiltrators and spies along the border!   Instead: new undermanned prairie prov. police forces had the ridiculous task of arresting friends and neighbours. 

Bigger irony: all this BEFORE Americans voted to go dry.  Totally ignorant of Canada's prohibition lessons.  Imagine: U.S. could have avoided organized crime!