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Confederation

Confederation. Definition Context Events Newly created Canada Issues. 1. Definition. Joining separate parts into one whole For Canada, that means joining the colonies of British North America (BNA) under ONE government. 2. Context. A. Geographic context North America consisted of: US

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Confederation

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  1. Confederation Definition Context Events Newly created Canada Issues

  2. 1. Definition • Joining separate parts into one whole • For Canada, that means joining the colonies of British North America (BNA) under ONE government

  3. 2. Context A. Geographic context • North America consisted of: • US • Alaska (owned by Russia) • British colonies • Nova Scotia • Newfoundland • New Brunswick • Prince Edward Island • Canada East and West • British Columbia • Northwest Territory • Rupert’s Land (owned by HBC)

  4. 2. Context B. Political context • Britain no longer wanted to rule the North American colonies • People wanted more responsible government • Canada East and West were having trouble because they were required (by the Act of Union) to both agree to any laws. They almost never agreed.

  5. 2. Context C. Economic Context • Canada used to have preferential trade with Britain (they didn’t charge taxes on Canadian products, but they did from other countries) • Preferential trade (called the Corn Laws) ended in 1846 causing a recession in Canada • Free trade agreement (called “reciprocity”) between Canada and the US ended in 1866 by US causing economic recession

  6. 3. Events Three Conferences and 72 Resolutions • Charlottetown Conference • Maritime provinces (PEI, NS, NB) were meeting to discuss union in 1864. Canada asked to join. Colonies agreed to look into all joining at another conference in Quebec b. Quebec Conference – Colonies met and wrote 72 resolutions to send to London. Because the colonies were run by Britain, they could only change their government by revolution, or by an act of the British government.

  7. 3. Events - continued • c. London Conference • Representatives from Canada went to London to present their ideas and Britain agreed to create the new country. Canada officially became a country on July 1, 1867 with the provinces of Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. • Manitoba joined in 1870, BC in 1871, PEI in 1873, Alta and Sask. in 1905 and Newfoundland in 1949.

  8. 4. Newly created Canada Structure of government: OLD Governor Legislative Council Executive Council -appointed by the -appointed by the governor governor Legislative Assembly -elected by the people

  9. 4. Newly created Canada cont’d Structure of government: New Governor-General House of Commons Senate - elected by the people (MP’s) - appointed by the governor (on the advice of the Prime Minister Government Official Third Parties party opposition Prime Minister Cabinet Other government Ministers ministers Also known as parliament

  10. 4. Newly Created Canada Provincial and federal governments • Provincial governments are almost the same as the federal government EXCEPT • there is NO senate • parliament is called the Legislative Assembly • the elected representatives are called MLA’s instead of MP’s

  11. 4. Newly Created Canada cont’d • Provinces are in charge of different issues than the federal government Provinces Federal government Education Defence Health care Taxation Local highways National highways Banking

  12. 5. Issues in Canada today • Quebec separatism • Western alienation • Have/have not provinces • American influence • Taxes • Resource-based economy

  13. Most issues relate to three concepts • Federalism • Geography • Provincial equalization

  14. 1. Federalism • The concept that the central government should be stronger than the provinces • Macdonald purposely created Canada with a strong central government because of what he saw happening in the US (the southern states were fighting the northern states – “the American Civil War”) • The provinces constantly push for more powers for themselves.

  15. 2. Geography • Canada is the second largest country in the world with the 36th largest population. As a result, infrastructure is expensive. • We are located exactly between two superpowers who traditionally are archenemies: US and Russia • Because of our geography we need allies, and usually that has been the US.

  16. 3. Provincial equalization • The federal government annually transfers SOME tax money to SOME of the provinces to equalize the services available in all the provinces. Every province has received money at some time or other, but some rarely get money and some regularly get money.

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