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House of Commons, 16 June 1869, Canadian Confederation with Prince Edward Island

[...] third time, but be read a third time this day six months.
The latter amendment was ruled out of order.
Mr. Killam's amendment was then put and lost. Yeas, 8; nays, 124. The Bill was then read a third time and passed.

PRINCE EDWARD ISLAND

Hon. Mr. Rose moved the consideration of the resolutions reported from committee of the Whole on the subject of arrangements having in view the admission of the Colony of Prince Edward Island into the Dominion of Canada.
Mr. Mackenzie strongly objected to this contemplated purchase of proprietary rights. It was a want of wisdom in this Parliament to assume the duties properly belonging to the Local Legislatures. Whatever course might be adopted in bringing Prince Edward Island into the Union, he was sure of one thing, and that was that the Government of the Island should be dealt with. By this proposition the Government of the Dominion was really asked to quiet the titles of two- thirds of the entire Island. He had no objection to the opening of negotiations for the acquisition of this Island, but it was not desirable that the Dominion should enter upon duties belonging really to the Local Government, and seek to acquire proprietary rights, because no arrangements should be concluded without the sanction of Parliament. He, therefore, moved in amendment,——"1. That all the words after the word 'Dominion' in the first resolution be omitted, and the following substituted in lieu thereof: 'But no negotiations shall be had which may involve the Government or Parliament of Canada in any attempt to acquire the disputed proprietary rights of the original grantees of the Crown of the Lands of the Island, or with a view to give to the Parliament of Canada jurisdiction or control in relation to any subject matter that by the provisions of the British North America Act of 1867 is vested in the Legislature of each Province respectively.' 2. That the second and third resolutions be expunged and the following substituted:— 'That all such arrangements shall be submitted to Parliament for its approval before any action is taken to give them effect, or to pledge the public faith to their fulfilment.' "
Hon. Mr. Holton said he was most anxious to have Prince Edward Island admitted into 830 COMMONS DEBATES June 16, 1869 the Union, but he saw a very grave objection to the terms of these resolutions, and maintained that the Government had no right to pledge the House in the manner done by the second resolution.
Hon. Mr. Rose believed the House to be desirous of strengthening the hands of the Government in this matter; and, in order to meet the views of the member for Lambton, the Government were willing to amend the lst resolution by making it provide merely that it was expedient the negotiations should be entered into, leaving out the latter part of the resolution was struck out, and made to read, in accordance with the suggestion of the member for Lambton, "That all such arrangements should be submitted to Parliament for its approval before any action is taken to give them effect or to pledge the public faith to their fulfilment."
Mr. Mackenzie said he would accept the changes on the understanding that the intention of the Government to interfere with proprietary rights was abandoned.
Sir John A. Macdonald said it was.
The resolutions were then amended in Committee and reported.

QUEEN'S PRINTER

The House then went into Committee on Sir John A. Macdonald's Bill for the appointment of a Queen's Printer. Mr. Bodwell in the chair.
The Bill was reported; third reading tomorrow.

TELEGRAPH COMPANIES, ETC.

Hon. Mr. Langevin's Bill, respecting Telegraph Companies, was read a second time, considered in Committee, reported with an amendment, which was concurred in, and read a third time and passed.
Sir John A. Macdonald gave notice that he would to-morrow move the reference to Committee of the Whole of certain resolution respecting Law Stamps in Ontario.
Mr. Le Vesconte moved an address for copies of all correspondence with the Imperial Government on the subject of the resolutions of the Nova Scotia Legislature. Carried.

Source:

Canada. House of Commons Debates, 1869. Edited by P.B. Waite. Ottawa: Queen's Printer, 1975. Original scans accessible at: http://parl.canadiana.ca/.

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Selection of input documents and completion of metadata: Gordon Lyall.

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