Manitoba

Manitoba was the only future province to take up armed resistance against Canadian encroachment. The settlers at Red River were not, however, opposed to joining Confederation—they fought to protect their local autonomy within the fledging dominion. You can read about all sides of the debate using the links below.

Nova Scotia

After the fall of Leonard Tilley's pro-Confederation government in New Brunswick in March 1865, Charles Tupper and his government treaded carefully. Read these records to learn how Tupper and his supporters kept the anti-Confederates from gaining the upper hand.

Newfoundland and Labrador

Newfoundland was one of the provinces that rejected Confederation during the 1860s. Over the years, its legislature debated the controversial question several times. During the early 20th century, Newfoundland its own dominion, and it did not join Confederation until 1949.

Prince Edward Island

Most of Prince Edward Island's politicians were unsatisfied by the 1865 terms of union, so they initially rejected Confederation and held out for better terms. Read these debates to learn about the Island's demands, as well as whether its politicians ultimatey got what they wanted.

New Brunswick

The only province to reject Confederation in an election, New Brunswick's debates between 1865 and 1867 are among the most exciting!

Quebec

Canada East, as Quebec was known during the years immediately before Confederation, shared a legislature with Canada West (present-day Ontario). Politicians from two sections of the Province of Canada rarely got along and the ensuing deadlock was a key cause of Confederation. When debating the terms of union, French Canadians disagreed about whether joining the new country would protect or destroy their culture.

Ontario

Canada West, as Ontario was known during the years immediately before Confederation, shared a legislature with Canada East (present-day Quebec). Politicians from two sections of the Province of Canada rarely got along and the ensuing deadlock was a key cause of Confederation. As a whole, the voters of Canada West were the most enthusiastic supporters of Confederation—learn why by using the links below.

Saskatchewan

The decisions that led to the creation of the province of Saskatchewan in 1905 spanned decades and included one of the most acrimonious debates in Canadian parliamentary history.

Nunavut

The Confederation Debates hopes to add the debates concerning the creation and evolution of the Nunavut in future years.

Yukon

The Confederation Debates hopes to add the debates concerning the creation of the Yukon in future years.

Northwest Territories

The Confederation Debates hopes to add the debates concerning the creation and evolution of the Northwest Territories in future years.

British Columbia

When British Columbia considered joining Confederation during the early 1870s, great distances separated it from the rest of the country. The promise of a transcontinental railway was critical to bridging the distance, but the sheer expense made it the terms of union unpopular with some Canadians.

Alberta

The decisions that led to the creation of the province of Alberta in 1905 spanned decades and included one of the most acrimonious debates in Canadian parliamentary history.