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House of Commons, 17 February 1876, Canadian Confederation with Alberta and Saskatchewan

86 The North-West Territory. [COMMONS.]

THE NORTH-WEST TERRITORY.

Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE moved for leave to introduce a Bill respecting the North-West Territory, and to create a separate territory out of part thereof. He said - We find that there is likely to be a good deal of inconvenience from the North-West Territories, including all that portion of our country east of Manitoba and west of the boundary of Ontario. The Province of Manitoba wishes to increase its boundaries northward, westward, and eastward; but until the question is decided as to where the limits of Ontario may ultimately be fixed,it is impossible to take any steps towards enlarging the boundaries of that Province without the risk of having it reconsidered, probably at the very next Session. I have thought it advisable on the whole, to detach a portion of country immediately north and east of Manitoba, from the North West Territories proper, and to have its affairs administered by the Government of Manitoba without the risk of having it reconsidered, probably at the very next Session. I have thought it advisable on the whole, to detach a portion of country immediately north and east of Manitoba, from the North West Territories proper, and to have its affairs administered by the Governor of Manitoba without the intervention of any council, and without incurring any expense whatever. The boundary proposed in the Bill is to commence where the western coast of Lake Manitoba intersects the northern boundary of that Province, proceeding northward along the western coast of that Lake to the portage between its waters and Lake Winnepegoosis, thence proceeding on the eastern shore of Lake Winnepegoosis to Mossy Portage, a small neck of land between the Saskatchewan River and this Lake, and thence due northward from that point. The Bill recapitulates certain provisions of the North-West Territories Act of last Session, which will be made applicable to that Territory. As soon as the boundary between the Dominion and Ontario is settled in that quarter, the probability is, Manitoba will have its limits enlarged. The Government of that Province have sought to have its boundaries enlarged at the present time, but we felt it would be inconvenient to have this done in the east at the present time without knowing the precise place to where we would go. If the conclusions of the hon. member for Bothwell be correct, Manitoba and most of the North-West Territory will belong to Ontario. As I judge it, a more reasonable conclusion may probably be safely predicted, that will send it a considerable distance east of the present boundary. This is simply a provisional arrangement, which will come to an end as soon as we have that boundary settled. My first thought was to make Lake Winnipeg the limit, but it seemed more convenient to have Routine Business. [FEBRUARY 17, 1876.] 87 that portion of territory—where there is a considerable settlement already, and where the telegraph line has been built and the railway located east of the other two lakes (Manitoba and Winnepegoosis)—attached to the Government of Manitoba than to a Government situated several hundred miles west of that Province.
Mr. DEWDNEY suggested some special provision should be made for the government of the country lying north of British Columbia, in which valuable diggings had been discovered, and to which there would be a large emigration next spring. He had a petition from the miners of Cassiar regarding the matter, and he thought it might be convenient for the Premier to include a clause in this Bill respecting it.
Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE—I will consider any representation the hon. gentleman may make before the second reading of the Bill, although I fear it would hardly do to insert such a provision.
Sir JOHN A. MACDONALD—The territory referred to belongs to the Government of Fort Pelly, and my hon. friend suggests that a provision should be inserted in the Act conferring upon the Government of British Columbia the power of administering the affairs of that place, analogous to that conferred on the Government of Manitoba for the eastern section.
Hon. Mr. MACKENZIE—I shall be happy to consider the question before the second reading.
The Bill was read the first time.

Source:

Canada. House of Commons Debates, 1875-1949. Provided by the Library of Parliament.

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Selection of input documents and completion of metadata: Isabelle Carré-Hudson.

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