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| The Quebec Conference | ||
| Meet the Fathers of Confederation | ||
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The Charlottetown Conference was the first time that representatives from Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Canada had ever met together to discuss common interests.
The Fathers of Confederation were leaders of their generation. They were a diverse group: government and opposition, English and French, lawyers and journalists, shipbuilders and soldiers, poets and businessmen.
The Charlottetown Conference brought together four colonies, 23 enterprising men for seven days for one meeting in Charlottetown in September 1864. The question on all of their minds was "shall we unite?" Along with business and politics, the Charlottetown Conference, featured a
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Official photograph of
the Fathers of Confederation at Government House. |
In Charlottetown, delegates from British North America agreed to join together in federal union. None of the details were yet worked out, but an important breakthrough was made. The spirit of Confederation was born.
This is the only official record of the Charlottetown Conference. The photo was taken at Government House, the residence of the Lieutenant Governor of Prince Edward Island.
Charlottetown Conference Calendar of Events
Wednesday, August 31 - 1864
- Arrival of the Nova Scotia and New Brunswick Delegation
- Opening of the Conference on Maritime Union
- Arrival of the Canadian Delegation
- Birthday celebration for Attorney General Edward Palmer
- Dinner at Government House
- Postponement of Maritime Union discussions
- Presentation by Canada’s George Etienne Cartier
- Presentation by Canada’s John A. MacDonald
- Luncheon at the residence of Colonial Secretary William Pope
- Walking, boating and carriage rides
- Presentation by Canada’s Alexander Galt
- Luncheon aboard the Queen Victoria, hosted by the Canadian Delegation
- Dinner at the residence of Colonel Gray, Premier of Prince Edward Island
- Church services
- Day of rest
- Presentation by Canada’s George Brown
- Luncheon at the residence of George Coles, Leader of the Opposition
- Official photograph of the Fathers of Confederation at Government House
- Final presentation by the Canadians
- Luncheon at the residence of Attorney General Edward Palmer
- Supper and Ball at Government House
- Maritime delegates discard the idea of Maritime Union
- Agreement is made to pursue federal union
- Charlottetown Conference is adjourned
- Party hosted by the Canadians aboard the Queen Victoria
- Excursion to Prince Edward Island’s North Shore
- Closing supper and ball at the Colonial Building (Province House National Historic Site of Canada)
- Most delegates are up all night and head to the Queen Victoria at 5am to set sail for Halifax.
The Quebec Conference 1864
One month after Charlottetown, a second conference took place in Quebec City. This time, delegates figured out how the Confederation would actually work. Canada’s first written constitution was written in Quebec.
The conference took place October 10-27, 1864 and included 5 colonies (Newfoundland participated in this conference), 33 delegates, written resolutions and some dissent. After the Quebec Conference, Prince Edward Island opted out, deciding it had nothing to gain from Federal Union. The Island was the Birthplace of Confederation, but chose not to join.
"future prosperity of British North America will be promoted by a Federal Union"
Quebec City, October 1864
The London Conference 1866
The final Confederation conference took place in London, England. When all of the details were settled, the British Parliament passed the British North America Act, creating the Dominion of Canada as of July 1st, 1867.
The Dominion of Canada was born with four provinces: New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario and Quebec. Newly knighted Sir John A. MacDonald was the first Prime Minister. "We hail the birth of a new nationality," said the headline in Toronto’s Globe.
It should be noted that in 1867, Canada was still a British colony and proud to be so. Canada’s evolution from colony to nation was gradual. No single event defined this change.
Expanding Confederation from Sea to Sea
1869-70 – Northwest Territories joins Confederation, with this massive land transfer, Canada became one of the world’s largest countries.
1870 – Province of Manitoba is formed in 1870.Manitoba’s creation was complex and contentious. The Metis convinced Canada to form a new province within the North West Territory.
1871 – British Columbia joins on the promise of a Transcontinental railway – a railway that takes 5 years to complete.
1873 – Prince Edward Island finally joins in 1873 due to accumulating a huge debt in building the railway – it needed Canada to help it out.
1898 – Gold is discovered in the Klondike and gold seekers pour into the North-West. Canada creates the Yukon Territory with a local government to maintain law and order.
1905 – In the late 19th century, the North-West had an influx of settlers. With them came demands for provincial status. After many debates on boundaries, Alberta and Saskatchewan were created in 1905.
1949 – Newfoundland remained independent until after Wold War II. Due to economic woes, it held a referendum on joining Confederation. 52% voted in favor of joining Canada, while 48% were against it.
1967 – Canada celebrates 100 years of Confederation
1982 - Repatriation of the British North America Act. Canada separates from England, but is still a member of the Commonwealth.
1999 – Canada redrew its map in 1999, with the dividing of the North West Territories, corresponding to the traditional lands of the Inuit, and the creation of the Territory of Nunavut. Nunavut represents 1/5 of Canada’s land mass, with Inuit making up 85% of Nunavut’s population.