Confederation
During the 1850s and early 1860s, the unofficial divide of the Province of Canada became unsustainable. The required agreement of both upper and lower Canada to pass resolutions became more and more difficult. Then, in the spring of 1864, the maritime colonies of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island were preparing for a meeting to discuss the the joining of them into one entity. Delegates of the Province of Canada were not originally invited, however they did request attendance, which was granted.
Delegates of the Province of Canada (Including John A. MacDonald, the first Prime Minister of Canada) presented their ideas for a united government. The main push of the presentation included the following ideas:
- Preserving links with the British Monarchy by having a Governor General appointed to represent crown interests;
- Appointing a central authority to oversee much of the country duties;
- The idea of two houses of parliament, one being a common house (seats apportioned by population) and a senate house (seats apportioned representing the jurisdiction of each colony);
- Federal and provincial levels of government;
After several meetings, including 16 delegates of the represented colonies travelling to London and having private audiences with the queen, he members met in January 1866 to draft the British North America Act. The act was travelled to London for presentation to Queen Victoria, and the British parliament, all of whom approved. The bill was introduced into the British parliament in February 1867 and was quickly approved by the House of Commons and House of Lords. It received royal assent in March 1867 and set the official union date of July 1, 1867. The Dominion of Canada was officially born.
Click one of the below to see how Canada became the country it is today.
