Canada Day: A brief lesson in Confederation
The Fathers of Confederation established the Dominion of Canada on July 1, 1867, the birth of the country that we know today
From 1864 to 1867, representatives of Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and the Province of Canada, worked together to establish a new country. These men, known as the Fathers of Confederation, created two levels of government – federal and provincial.
The old Province of Canada was split into two new provinces: Ontario and Quebec, which, together with New Brunswick and Nova Scotia, formed the new country called the Dominion of Canada. Each province would elect its own legislature and have control of such areas as education and health.
Dominion of Canada $1 bill (1923) showing King George V, who in 1921 assigned Canada’s national colours (white & red), the colours of our national flag today
The British Parliament passed the British North America Act in 1867. The Dominion of Canada was officially born on July 1, 1867. Until 1982, July 1 was celebrated as “Dominion Day” to commemorate the day that Canada became a self-governing Dominion. Today it is officially known as Canada Day.
Dominion from Sea to Sea
Sir Leonard Tilley, an elected official and Father of Confederation from New Brunswick, suggested the term Dominion of Canada in 1864. He was inspired by Psalm 72 in the Bible which refers to “dominion from sea to sea and from the river to the ends of the earth.” This phrase embodied the vision of building a powerful, united, wealthy and free country that spanned a continent. This title was written into the Constitution, used officially for about 100 years and remains part of our heritage today.
Expansion of the Dominion
1867 – Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick
1870 – Manitoba, Northwest Territories
1871 – British Columbia
1873 – Prince Edward Island
1880 – Transfer of the Arctic Islands (to N.W.T.)
1898 – Yukon Territory
1905 – Alberta, Saskatchewan
1949 – Newfoundland and Labrador
1999 – Nunavut
In the 1920s, some believed that the British West Indies (British territories in the Caribbean Sea) should become part of Canada. This did not happen but Canada and Commonwealth Caribbean countries and territories enjoy close ties.
Discover Canada
~Wakenya Canada
