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Newfoundland Joins Confederation. April 1, 1949 – Newfoundland and Labrador became Canada’s Tenth Province. Not all Newfoundlanders were happy with Confederation. Newfoundland had been self-governing since 1855 and had refused Confederation in 1867 .
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April 1, 1949 – Newfoundland and Labrador became Canada’s Tenth Province. • Not all Newfoundlanders were happy with Confederation. • Newfoundland had been self-governing since 1855 and had refused Confederation in 1867. • The Depression, coupled with the terrible losses of WWI, had hit the Newfoundland economy hard. • The British government had to lend aid in 1934.
April 1, 1949 – Newfoundland and Labrador became Canada’s Tenth Province. • After WWI, Britain did not want the financial burden of Newfoundland. • Joseph R. Smallwood led the Newfoundland drive to join Confederation with Canada.
Referendums: • 1stReferendum • 3 options: • “Status Quo,” stay the same, on their own. • Join Confederation • Return to the situation in 1934
Referendums: • 2ndReferendum • Very similar to the first, except the first option was dropped. • The people of Newfoundland voted 52% in favour of Confederation, and 48% voted against Confederation.
Joey Smallwood became the first Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador. • Newfoundland enjoyed the same financial benefits as the other provinces, and special assistance to help boost the economy. • The Federal government took over the new province’s debt.