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The National Policy The National Policy consisted of three main components, which were to create a national infrastructure for the country of Canada. The purposes of the policy were to create two tariffs, to complete the building of the intercontinental railroad, and to settle the west of Canada. In 1878, after being re-elected into government with the Conservative party, John A. MacDonald introduced the National Policy. Although he made this policy famous and a success in his time, other political leaders had their hands in its’ success in their times as well. During MacDonald’s rule, Charles Tilley, the Finance Minister, adopted two distinct tariffs; Protective tariffs and Revenue tariffs. The Protective tariffs were high duties placed on goods, imported but able to be produced in Canada. These duties were placed in order to protect the Canadian industries and manufacturers. Revenue tariffs were low duties placed on goods, imported but not manufactured in Canada. These duties were placed in order to make revenue for the federal government. The building of the Intercontinental Railroad was a stipulation of British Columbia when they joined the Confederation in 1871. The Intercontinental Railroad, known as th