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The Road to Confederation. Charlottetown, Quebec and London Conferences…. Charlottetown Conference. In the summer of 1864 , politicians from NS, NB, and PEI were planning to meet to discuss a “ union ” of the Maritimes - they received a request from the Canadas asking
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The Road to Confederation Charlottetown, Quebec and London Conferences…
Charlottetown Conference • In the summer of 1864, politicians from NS, NB, and PEI were planning to meet to discuss a “union” of the Maritimes - they received a request from the Canadas asking if they could join the discussion • August 29, 1864 : - “Queen Victoria” sailed into Charlottetown
George Brown, John A. Macdonald, G.E. Cartier, Alexander Galt and D’arcy McGee were all on board • They had a plan for a union of all the colonies
For a week, the Canadians suggested reasons why the Maritimes should join in a union with the Canadas • Delegates became convinced that “Confederation” could work • Parties and social festivities added to the friendly atmosphere at the conference (…plus champagne!) • Result? - Maritime colonies agreed to meet with the Canadians for further discussions in Quebec City in October
Quebec Conference • October 1864: 7 delegates from each of NB and PEI 5 delegates from NS… and 2 delegates from NF 12 delegates from Canada east and west • Everyone agreed that: - union must be strong and unable to be broken by 1 province - the central govt. must be more powerful than the provincial govts.
BUT… other details needed to be figured out as well: - how many representatives would each province have in the central govt.? - where would the $$ come from to run the central govt.? - what powers would be Prime Minister have? - would there be 2 “Houses” of Parliament like GB? - would there be an elected House of Commons like GB? - would other colonies, like BC, be able to join Confederation in the future? - etc….
“72 Resolutions” - a plan for the new partnership of the colonies - hurdles: - the plan had to be accepted by all colonies - people had to be convinced
London Conference • The BNA colonies belonged to GB, therefore, their union could not become official until the British Parliament approved it - 16 delegates went to London to discuss it • Britain was in favourof the union - if the colonies united, they could look after themselves…GB would not be as responsible
Spring 1867: - British North America Act introduced in the British Parliament
The BNA Act united 4 provinces: - NB, NS and the Canadas…renamed Ontario and Quebec • They were now known as the “Dominion of Canada” • The Act was built on the “72 Resolutions” • The Act passed the British Parliament without many changes • Queen Victoria signed it…and July 1, 1867 was the day designated for it to come into effect • July 1, 1867: - most people in the new country took a holiday - still some “anti-Confederationists”…black flags hung