London Conference of 1866
The London Conference of 1866 was a pivotal meeting that brought together delegates from Canadian provinces, including Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and the Province of Canada, to discuss the establishment of a new confederation. Held in December 1866, the conference addressed key issues regarding Canada’s transition to self-governance and its separation from British colonial rule. Notable figures such as John A. Macdonald, who chaired the conference, played a significant role in navigating the complexities of the proposed confederation.
The discussions led to the formulation of the British North America Act of 1867, which was finalized and approved by the British Parliament and Queen Victoria in early 1867. This act marked the official creation of the Dominion of Canada on July 1, 1867, a date now recognized as Canada Day. The conference not only resolved contentious issues related to governance, representation, and infrastructure but also set the stage for Canada’s development as an independent nation. The event reflects the evolving political landscape of North America during the 19th century, characterized by a shift towards self-determination and federal governance.
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London Conference of 1866
The London Conference of 1866 was a meeting of representatives from Canada for the purposes of establishing a new confederation in the North American nation. Beginning in December 1866, the conference resolved a number of issues with Canada’s impending move toward a new representative form of government and ending its colonial relationship with Britain. The conference led to the British North America Act of 1867, approved by the British Parliament and Queen in early 1867, and to the beginning of the Dominion of Canada on July 1, 1867.
Background
France and Britain both established colonies in the North American territory now known as Canada during the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. There were frequent battles over territory until September 13, 1759, when the British defeated the French at the Battle of Quebec. France withdrew and the area became known as British North America.
In the early 1800s, both Britain and its Canadian colonies began to consider a separation. It was becoming very expensive for Britain to defend its North American colonies. At the same time, the Canadians wanted a more representative form of government. After some rebellions broke out in the 1830s, both sides began looking toward separation between the British and the colonies.
Toward this end, several conferences were held with representatives of various areas of the Canadian colonies. The first was held at Charlottetown on Prince Edward Island in September 1864. The next was held in Quebec in October 1864. These meetings established a number of parameters for the new government, but a final meeting was still required.
Overview
On December 4, 1866, sixteen delegates from Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and the Province of Canada met at the Westminster Palace Hotels in London for the London Conference. The Province of Canada was made up of East Canada and West Canada, and functioned as two independent delegations at the conference. The delegates in attendance included John A. Macdonald, who chaired the event, George-Étienne Cartier, Alexander Tilloch Galt, Hector-Louis Langevin, John Pearce Howland, William McDougall, Charles Fisher, John Mercer Johnson, Peter Mitchell, Samuel Leonard Tilley, Robert Duncan Wilmot, Adams George Archibald, William Alexander Henry, Jonathan McCully, John William Ritchie, and Charles Tupper. Eleven of these men had also taken part in both of the previous conferences.
Between December 1866 and March 1867, the representatives met with each other and with representatives of the British government to establish the terms on which Canada would become a self-governing confederacy. Not everyone favored confederacy, and there were differences of opinion on the seventy-two resolutions that had been passed at the Quebec Conference two years earlier. Under Macdonald’s leadership, the delegates ironed out the most troublesome details, including how representation in the Canadian Senate would be determined, funding for an intercolonial railway, and the governance of religious schools.
On February 11, 1867, a final draft of the resolutions was presented to Queen Victoria. After the requisite three readings before each House of the British Parliament and final approval by the Queen, the British North America Act of 1867 was approved on March 29, 1867. British North America became the Dominion of Canada on July 1, 1867, now celebrated as Canada Day.
Bibliography
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