Confederacy ConferencesCharlottetown September 1864Quebec City October 1864London November 1866 Royal Assent April 1867

Charlottetown

By the end of the Charlottetown conference, the idea of a maritime union had been dropped. John A MacDonald had convinced delegates from Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and PEI that it would be to their benefit to join a united Canada.

In addition to provided a stronger defense against a possible American threat, the Canadian coalition also promised that a centralized government would assume the debts of the colonies that joined.

$13,000 worth of champagne helped smooth the way…

Quebec City October 1864

Quebec City October 1864

After listening to the reasons for joining confederacy, delegrates from the Maritimes agreed to meet in Quebec City to write up the new proposals with the leaders of Canada East and West.

They agreed that Canada’s government would be a federation, meaning that there would be more than one level of government, but with much of the power held by the central government.

Macdonald did not want a government like that of the US which was in the middle of a war between its states.

Creating a Federation

There would be a national (federal) government, overseeing the united interests of the nation in all regions, and provincial governments that would look after specific regional concerns.

The central government would be made of the Houses of Parliament, as well as the Senate.

The Canadian system was meant to replicate the British government as closely as possible.

http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/confederation/023001-7104-e.html - for all 72 resolutions

The Quebec Resolutions, October, 1864(The 72

Resolutions)

First and foremost:

1.The best interests and present and future prosperity of British North America will be promoted by a Federal Union under the Crown of Great Britain, provided such Union can be effected on principles just to the several Provinces.

Hedging their bets…

9.The colony of Newfoundland shall be entitled to enter the proposed Union, with a representation in the Legislative Council of 4 members.

10.The North-West Territory, British Columbia and Vancouver shall be admitted into the Union on such terms and conditions as the Parliament of the Federated Provinces shall deem equitable, and as shall receive the assent of Her Majesty; and in the case of the Province of British Columbia or Vancouver, as shall be agreed to by the Legislature of such Province

To join or not to join?

After the conferences in Charlottetown and Quebec City, hundreds of details still had to be ironed out, and the general population of the different colonies had to agree to the plan of a United Canada.

In the Maritimes, many people and politicians were still against the idea of joining the Canadian confederacy.

Handout… Shaping Canada Chapter 6

The London Conference

Overcoming Objections

Despite objections from many citizens in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, Canadian delegates went to London to request the British North America Act of 1867 be approved in the British House of Commons.

Macdonald almost died during the London conference when his hotel room caught fire from a lit candle.

The British North America Act received Royal Assent in April 1867, establishing the Dominion of Canada as a federation of Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick & Nova Scotia.

Man of the Conference

John A Macdonald proceeds to dominate the conference in London, meets with Queen Victoria, becomes engaged and gets married while in London on ‘business’!