Canadian Confederation

• Originally Canada was made up of several British colonies

  • Canada East (currently Quebec)
  • Canada West (currently Ontario)
  • Nova Scotia
  • New Brunswick
• Each colony had its own government and laws and all faced various challenges like economic instability due to reliance on resource based industries like fur and timber and external threats
• Economic Factors:

  • Faced trade restrictions
  • High taxes (AKA tariffs)
  • Limited market access
  • Each colony had its own currency and trade policies
  • Uniting the colonies would create a more integrated market that would bring in trade, investments, and promoted economic development
• Political Factors:

  • Each colony had different government systems
  • Growing desire for more democratic governance and control over local affairs
  • Louis-Joseph Papineau in Canada East and Robert Baldwin in Canada West both advocated for a responsible government (balancing local autonomy with centralized authority)
• External Threats:

  • Tensions between the United Sates and British North America were high
  • Tensions fueled by border disputes, territorial ambitions, and memory of past conflicts
  • Feared the United States would invade their territories (called for greater unity and defense)
• Sir John A. Macdonald:

  • First Prime Minister of Canada
  • Advocated for Confederation and negotiated its terms
  • Bridged political divides and promoted national unity
• George Brown:

  • Prominent newspaper publisher and politician
  • Leading advocate for Confederation in Ontario and Quebec
  • Helped overcome regional rivalries and promoted the idea of a united Canada
• George-Étienne Cartier:

  • Secured Quebec support of confederation
  • Advocated for protection of the French language and culture within the new Dominion of Canada
  • Key figure in French Canadian politics
• Charlottetown Conference:

  • Occurred in September of 1864 in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island
  • First intended to be a meeting with the Maritime colonies about uniting (Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and Prince Edward Island) but the Province of Canada were also invited
  • The idea of Maritime union expanded to uniting all of British North America
  • No formal agreements were reached but laid the framework for future discussions
• Quebec Conference:

  • Occurred in October of 1864 in Quebec City
  • Delegates from the Maritime colonies and the Province of Canada met again to talk about Confederation
  • Over 2 weeks of negotiations they agreed on a series of 72 resolutions
  • These resolutions addressed key issues like the division of powers between federal and provincial governments representation in Parliament and the protection of minority rights
• London Conference:

  • Occurred in December of 1866 in London, England
  • Delegates from the British North American colonies went to London to present the resolutions agreed upon at the Quebec Conference to the British government
  • The London Conference was to finalize the terms of Confederation and get approval from the British Parliament
  • After several weeks of negotiating the British North America Act was drafted and passed by the British Parliament in 1867
  • The British North America Act established the Dominion of Canada and outlined the structure of it's government
• British North America Act:

  • AKA the Constitution Act
  • Passed in 1867 by the British Parliament
  • Established Dominion of Canada
  • Outlined structure of Canadian government including division of powers between federal and provincial levels
  • The British North America Act provided stability and legal framework for the new nation and laying the groundwork for Canadian democracy
• Impacts:

  • economic development
  • Improved transportation
  • enhanced security
  • Shaped Canada's political, social, and cultural landscape over time
• Post-Confederation Challenges:

  • Indigenous relations were strained and had conflicts over land and rights
  • Westward Expansion efforts were made while trying to address Indigenous claims
  • Economic development was a struggle in trying to balance regional interests and promoting economic growth across the nation
• Confederation in Modern Canada:

  • Federal system established by the Confederation continues to shape Canada's governance
  • Confederation is celebrated on July 1st every year
  • Ongoing efforts to reconcile with Indigenous peoples and address historical injustices