ADMISSION OF BRITISH COLUMBIA
Hon. Sir GEORGE-E. CARTIER moved that the House go
into Committee to consider a series of resolutions respecting the
admission of British Columbia into Union with Canada. This
subject, he said, was one which required few words to introduce it.
Its importance was recognized by all.
Who would have thought twelve years ago when British
Columbia was erected into a colony by Lord Lytton that it should
form in so short a time a portion of Canada. It was due to the
foresight and statesmanship of that great literary man that he should
quote from a speech of his, delivered in 1858, in which this great
union was foretold. He was now quoting from the prorogation
speech delivered on the 2nd August, 1858. It said: "The Act to
which Her Majesty's assent for the establishing of the Colony of
British Columbia was originally required in consequence of the
recent discoveries of gold in that district, but Her Majesty hopes
that this new Colony on the Pacific may be but one of several in a
greater state of progress, by which Her Majesty's Dominions in
British North America may be ultimately peopled in an unbroken
chain from the Atlantic to the Pacific by loyal subjects of Her
Majesty's Crown."
Could the present movement have been more clearly foretold?
Since 1858 the scheme of Confederation had made great strides
toward completion. He (Hon. Sir George-E. Cartier) regretted the
absence of the hon. member for Shefford on this occasion. That
gentleman had often complained that this country was advancing
too slowly, and said that the Dominion would advance more rapidly
if placed on an independent footing. But, if the hon. member for
Shefford was present today, he could not charge the Ministry with
having been idle since they had brought about the union of all
British North America since they had assumed office. While in
London with his (Hon. Sir George-E Cartier) colleagues, at a dinner
where several literary men were present, he mentioned to Lord
Lytton, who was not then in office, that the Confederation scheme
was one of the principal objects which had brought him to England.
Lord Lytton replied, "I presume that you have come not merely to
see that the British North American Atlantic Provinces should be
united. I hope you look forward to the greater Confederation which
will reach to the Pacific Ocean."
He (Hon. Sir George-E. Cartier) would now come to the Bill
itself. It was before the House, and they could examine it for
themselves. He invited the freest and fullest discussion on each and
every clause, but he would remind them that the Bill was in the
nature of a treaty, and consequently the Government would insist
upon the adoption of those terms as adopted in British Columbia
that the amendment of one paragraph or one item of those terms
would defeat the whole project. He took this early opportunity of
informing the House of the fact. British Columbia had decided to
accept the Bill without amendments, though several members of the
Legislature of that colony had shown a disposition to amend the
278COMMONS DEBATES
March 28, 1871
measure in some of its parts. The necessity of accepting this Bill as
it stood must be apparent to all. The population of British Columbia
was set down at 60,000, and it was certainly not below that number,
if the Indians and Chinese were included as well as the white. The
customs duty collected under the tariff of the colony amounted to
$350,000, which would give about twice as much per head for the
population as was collected in the Dominion. Each inhabitant of
Canada was supposed to contribute $3 to the Revenue per year,
while each inhabitant of the colony contributed nearly twice that
amount. It might be said that the tariff was higher than ours, but it
was not so much so as to make this difference if the population
were not there. The House would therefore, admit that the
Government did not err in estimating the population at 60,000.
The delegates of British Columbia wished to have the subsidy
placed at 80 cents per head for a population of 120,000, but on
being informed that it would be impossible to obtain the assent of
Parliament to such terms they allowed the population to put at
60,000. This was an opportune time to admit the colony into the
union, for it was desirable to extend the Confederation to the Pacific
as soon as possible, and on economical grounds it was advisable to
admit the colony into the Dominion before the increase of
population could increase the subsidy to a very large rate. Then
with respect to the clause providing for provisions it must be
remembered that British Columbia was a Crown colony. Under it
several officers were appointed for life, and they should be
provided for. The colony had laterally adopted responsible
Government which was to commence from the date of the union, so
that no future charges of this kind need be expended in the future.
There were very few such pensions to be provided for; the majority
of them would be employed under the Federal Government. Then,
with respect to the tariff, it was provided that they should retain
their own tariff, which was higher than ours, till the completion of
the Pacific Railway. No inconvenience need be anticipated from it,
and under the peculiar circumstances of the case it was necessary to
allow them to retain it.
Item eleven, relating to the construction of the Pacific Railway,
would no doubt provoke discussion. There were various unfounded
rumours with respect to this. It was not the intention of the
Government to construct the road, but it would be undertaken by
companies to be assisted mainly by land grants. It was not the
intention of the Government to burden the exchequer much to
obtain this railway. While this clause was under discussion between
the delegates and the Government it was proposed by the Dominion
that the colony should hand over a forty mile strip of land towards
the construction of the railway. That would be 24,000 square miles
of land, or 50,360,000 acres of land, not merely agricultural land,
but mineral land. Placing that land at $1 per acre, it would be equal
to a grant of$50,360,000 towards the construction ofthe railway. It
was proposed to give the colony $100,000 per annum, which,
placing the interest at 5 per cent, would be the annual interest on the
value of 2,000,000 acres of land, leaving the remainder to be used
by this Government. The railway, starting from Nipissing, would be
about 2,500 miles, 700 of which would pass through Ontario. They
did not expect to get entirely the 20 mile grant on each side of the
road, but they expect to get from the Ontario Government every
alternate lot on each side of the line for that 700 miles. That would
give 9,000,000 acres of land from the Ontario Government.
Starting from Lake Nipissing it would connect with the Ontario
system of railway and with the Quebec system of railway through
the Ottawa Valley. They were prepared to give it to any company
which would undertake the construction of the line, with a capital of
twenty-five millions of dollars, which with interest at 5 per cent,
would represent $1,500,000 per annum. The hon. member for
Sherbrooke had recently remarked that the certain increase of
receipts from customs and excise was at the rate of 5 per cent per
year. At that rate, taking the customs at $10,000,000, the increase
would be $500,000, and on excise, taking the receipts at
$5,000,000, $250,000. That would give a total from these two
sources alone to meet $1,500,000 per annum, a sum of $750,000.
He knew it would be argued that this railway would cost between
one and two hundred millions of dollars, if not more.
Mr. RYMAL: How much do you estimate the cost at?
Hon. Sir GEORGE-É. CARTIER would compare it with the
American Pacific Railway, which from Omaha to the Pacific was
1,775 miles in length. That railway was aided by land and money
grants, and cost $50,000,000. The Canadian Pacific Railway would
be about 700 miles longer. Yet he would place the cost at double
the rate of the American Pacific Railway, and the utmost cost that
could be incurred would be $100,000,000. But whatever it would
cost, he would assure the House that there would be no taxation on
the country more than existed at present. (Cheers) A certain portion
of the public lands had been reserved for the Indians, and the only
guarantee that was necessary for the future good treatment of the
Aborigines was the manner in which they had been treated in the
past. Now, having glanced at the provisions of the Bill he would
call the attention of the House to the fact that while our neighbours
had taken sixty years to extend their borders to the Pacific, the
young Dominion would have accomplished it inside of ten years.
And look at the importance of the extension. We need a seaboard
on the Pacific if ever this Dominion was to be a powerful nation in
the future, and what more convenient time could there be for this
union than at the present time? He concluded by an allusion to the
splendid position which England had attained by the development
of her marine power, and that even Prussia, notwithstanding the
triumphs she had lately won, must be content to take a second place
beside the great maritime power of England. The hon. Baronet
resumed his seat amid loud cheers.
Mr. BOLTON said that the House was hardly prepared to enter
on the discussion till it heard from the Finance Minister a statement
respecting the financial results of the matter now submitted to the
House. It was mainly as a financial measure that the House would
have to consider this measure. The Minister of Militia had stated
that this railway was to involve no new burdens on the taxpayers.
The House was entitled to hear, from the greatest financial
authority in the House, a statement showing how that would
have to be reached without involving additional burdens on
March 28, 1871 COMMONS DEBATES
279
taxpayers. This was a question that met the House
in limine, and
should be explained by the Finance Minister.
Hon. Sir FRANCIS HINCKS had not expected at this early
period to go into the financial aspect of the question. As to the
railroad, the idea had been that it could be constructed by a
liberal land grant and liberal money subsidy. It was not expected
to bring this subject forward this session. But various plans
would be considered and proposed to capitalists, including land
grants. The money change was estimated at one million to a
million and a quarter dollars per annum, which would not
involve additional Dominion taxation. No capitalists were likely
to survey the road at their own expense. Government thought it
necessary that they should assume the responsibility for survey
and location of line, this expenditure to be afterwards made by
first charge in the road. The charges to the Dominion in
connection with British Columbia were estimated at $460,000 a
year, and the revenue from all sources about $360,000 leaving
an annual charge of about $100,000 upon Canada.
Hon. Sir FRANCIS HINCKS in reply to Mr. Jones, of Leeds
North and Grenville North, said the road would cost about one
hundred millions of dollars.
Hon. Sir A.T. GALT said the admission of British Columbia
into the Union was desirable to all parties, the only question
being as to the terms upon which it was to be based. He was
willing within two restrictions to accept any terms with this
object. The first involved the avoidance of the violation of any
constitutional rights of the people of that colony, and the second
the abstaining from the imposition of onerous burdens on the
people of Canada. In view of the many important public or
natural works claiming our attention, it behoved us to guard
carefully against unduly augmenting the demands upon our
resources. Not only had railways and canals and other works to
be provided for, but the defence of the country, according to
past contracts and legislation. Now there was no doubt that the
union of this colony and the Dominion would be productive of
little benefit-would probably, but prove a source of fruitless
expense unless it could be also united by means of a good
railway communication. That was why a railway had been made
one of the terms of the compact. But its conditions necessarily
required consideration. We should have to take care not to
cripple the powers and means of the Local Government by those
conditions, in regard to future enterprises. While it was
desirable a road to our Western territory and through the colony
should be made for the settlement of that vast region, the Local
Government should not be deprived of the means of securing
works of local value and promise.
The object of the House then should be the creation of this
needed communication in conditions not antagonistic to British
Columbia local improvements, without provisions for which we
could not expect it to enter the Union. The resources of that
country naturally presented themselves to our notice in this
connection. What were they? A reliable authority in British
Columbia lately stated the population at 10,000 whites and
40,000 Indians. Now these aborigines should not be placed on
an equal footing with the whites for the purpose of framing the
financial basis of the Union. They could not be regarded as the
equals of the whites for revenue purposes at least. The imports
and exports also deserved our notice. The exports were
principally furs, lumber and some gold and coal. The imports
included articles dutiable in Canada, besides breadstuffs and
such like commodities, from which the bulk of the revenue was
derived. In 1867 the total amount was estimated at $537,000, of
which the customs yielded $350,000. The Dominion would
receive this, the remainder arising from excise and amounting to
over $150,000 falling to the Colony. The present terms of the
Union were considerably less advantageous to Canada than the
former both as regards the railway and other matters. Before it
was left optional with us when we should commence the work,
which, however, was to be completed within a reasonable
period, but the subsequent conditions required the
commencement of the road within two years and its completion
within ten. We might have finished the work within ten years,
but were not compelled to do it. The cost of the road would be
very great, one hundred million being the Government estimate,
and a considerable proportion of this amount must come from
the Dominion exchequer. The present engagement as to time
was much beyond what British Columbia asked at first, and in
the second place the road was rendered more burdensome from
the extension to Nipissing, further than at first spoken of The
present terms were enormously more burdensome to Canada
than the former. The estimated revenue from Columbia was
$386,000, and payments by Dominion $536,226 apart from
indirect engagements. But this revenue from British Columbia
depended upon maintenance of its tariff.
The result was that the colony would receive $150,000 to
$170,000 a year from Canada for Union, including in trade
guarantee for the works at Esquimault. He would not object to
that price for a political union, and did not think it too great an
equivalent for valuable lands extracted from the colony for the
railway. But there were other conditions of a serious and
objectionable nature in view ofour circumstances and prospects.
He objected to the hands of the country being tied as to the
period within which the Dominion should commence and
complete the railway. As it was, after the British Columbia
delegates came to Ottawa, Canada's obligations became
enormously enhanced. 1f the colonists did not command this
condition as compensation for the reduction of the estimate of
population from 120,000 to 60,000, or to provide means needed
for local purposes, why should our Government have voluntarily
assumed this serious obligation not at first proposed. He
deprecated interference with one of the principles of our
constitution, namely, representation by population, by these
resolutions. He indicated the evils of admitting colonies or
territories on the footing ofpresent members of Confederation.
The American territorial system presented an attractive
contrast with ours in this respect. If not admitted till they
280 COMMONS DEBATES
March 28, 1871
reached a certain stage of growth and development, they would
have certain local works completed not necessary to be assumed
by the Dominion. At present, to admit such Provinces as British
Columbia we had to depart from this principle of representation
by population to give the people proper representation, and
frame the financial basis of our Union to enable to newcomers
to carry on the Government, and other enterprises. One
important object for us was to avoid incurring obligations
oppressive to our people, who numbered but four millions. By
these resolutions they were threatened with a very grave
responsibility in regard to the early commencement and
completion of the Pacific Railway. He was certainly opposed to
terms of this kind, however desirous of extending the Union and
meeting the wishes of British Columbia. (Cheers.)
Hon. Mr. TILLEY referred to the remarks of the hon.
member for Sherbrooke as to the difference between the
requests made by British Columbia, and what was proposed to
be granted by the Government. He said the only difference was
as regards the communication, it being decided that there should
be a guarantee for the specific time of ten years, which would
allow ample time for the construction of the Railway, and the
Government had thought it better to limit the matter to ten years
instead of making a guarantee in perpetuity.
The member for Sherbrooke had stated that all British
Columbia asked for was a coach road connecting Fort Garry
with the Government roads of British Columbia and an
expenditure of a million dollars a year on a railway, and that the
proposition submitted by the Government was less favourable to
Canada. He entirely dissented from the hon. member on that
matter, on these grounds. When the road had been proposed it
had been found from enquiry and investigation that from the
high cost of labour and other charges that would have to be met
in constructing such a road within the stated time of three years,
that the cost would be very heavy, very heavy indeed, and in
addition to this it was coupled with a proposition that a railway
should be built as soon as practicable, and that there should be
an annual expenditure from the commencement of a million of
dollars.
Under these circumstances the Government had held that any
expenditure on a coach road was useless, and one that was not
required, inasmuch as all the traffic would be taken by the
railway as soon as completed. Taking this view therefore the
Government had at once dissented from the proposition of
British Columbia, and would not agree to it. The Government
had also considered it unwise to consent to an annual
expenditure of a million of dollars from the commencement
without having any particulars as to the difficulties that would
be met with, and had rather preferred that the whole work
should be undertaken in a reasonable specified time,—as they
thought a proper survey should be made, and the work then
completed as speedily as possible. Then again the propositions
of British Columbia had been changed in respect of
representation in the Dominion House of Parliament. Reverting
to the matter of the railway, he said the House had heard that it
was estimated that the money grant necessary to construct the
railway, in addition to the land grant, would amount to l and a
quarter millions per annum, but it must not be understood that
the expenditure of that sum of money was involved in the
proposition before the House. That proposition was simply to
admit British Columbia into the Dominion and connect her with
the Dominion system of railways, and it must be remembered
that the agreement entered into by the delegates at the
conferences at Quebec and London, was that the six Provinces
should be brought together, and also that the Red River country
and British Columbia should also be included in the
Confederation.
Such was the agreement, and happily, part had been
accomplished, for notwithstanding all the trouble, all the
anxiety, and all the difficulties that had arisen in connection
with the North West, he believed the conviction from one end of
the country to the other was that that country had been acquired
on very favourable terms. Well the next thing after getting
possession, was how to utilize it, and how could it be utilized?
Surely not by building coach roads, not by simply improving the
communication by water, no—the North West could only be
used to advantage by means of a railway running to the foot of
the Rocky Mountains, and the Government would not be doing
its duty to the Dominion unless it projected that work. It was
well known on the most reliable information, that in the valley
of the Saskatchewan and the Red River there was a tract of
Prairie Land, immense in extent, and magnificent in character,
and how could immigration be conducted to that country, how
could supplies be carried to settlers, how could the produce of
that country be brought to a market unless there was a railway,
and he did not hesitate to say that it had been the deliberately
expressed opinion of the House and the country, that as soon as
the country was acquired, a railway must be built to the foot of
the Rocky Mountains. Believing this to be the determination of
the Government and the country, the delegates from British
Columbia came and submitted a proposition that that Railway
should be extended from the foot of the Rocky Mountains to the
Pacific, and he put it to the House and the Pacific, whether a
line could not be built to the Pacific, much cheaper, in
proportion, than one ending at the Rocky Mountains. The one
would be available for local traffic only, and very much larger
subsidies, therefore, would have to be paid, whereas a line
running from the Atlantic to the Pacific would receive a very
large amount of through traffic, and in addition to this, it had
always been contemplated and determined that there should be
such a line through Canadian Territory.
It had been stated both by the Minister of Militia and the
Minister of Finance that it was not considered that the amount
necessary for the construction of the railway, would involve any
increase in the taxation of the people of the Dominion, and he had
no doubt that that statement was correct, for taking the
calculations of the hon. member for Sherbrooke himself as a
basis, that the annual increase of the population of the Dominion
March 28, 1871 COMMONS DEBATES
281
would be three per cent, (although when the railway to the Pacific
was completed, and the vast Territory of the North West opened
for settlement, there was no doubt the increase would be much
greater), he believed the additional revenue derived from that
increased population, irrespective of the increased paying ability,
estimated at two per cent by the member for Sherbrooke, would
be fully equal to all demands upon it without any increased
taxation. He entirely agreed with his hon. friend that it was
impossible to take large Provinces into the Dominion with a small
population, and acquire all their lands without giving them in
return the means of carrying out the local works necessary to
make the country attractive to emigrants, and how could it be
expected that the people of this large Province, twice the size of
Ontario, would be in a position to develop the resources of their
country without assistance—and that assistance was what the
Government proposed to render in the proposition before the
House? The member for Sherbrooke had said that he would have
preferred that the Government should have come down and have
asked a direct vote for that purpose, but he would remind the hon.
member that he had not been in favour of that mode, when it was
proposed with reference to Newfoundland. The delegates from
British Columbia estimated the population of their country, at
13,000 whites, 5,000 Chinese, and 45,000 Indians.
Then what was there to be got out of this country. At the
present time it cost from 12¢ to 14¢ a pound for all supplies sent
into that country, and no one could live there unless he earned $5
a day. If, however, the country were opened up, they would be
able to get supplies there as cheap as at Ottawa, and those who
now live on $5 a day would be able to live on $2.50 a day, and
there would very soon be a population which would yield a
revenue that would speedily compensate for the cost of the
railway. According to his judgment, seeing they had the North
West, and must develop it, there was no question but that the
Railway must be built, and even in a financial point of view,
although he did not assume to have anything like the knowledge
or experience of financial matters as was possessed by the hon.
member for Sherbrooke, he could not see that there would be any
difficulty. The line of railway would pass through magnificent
lands, and the proposed grant would give 50 million acres, leaving
every alternate lot which could be converted into a sinking fund
or some other mode for securing the amount of money granted,
and taking into consideration the probable increase of population,
the speedy settlement of the North West on its being opened up,
and the increased paying ability, he had no fear, and the
Government had no fear, that the people would be subjected to
any increase of taxation.
Hon. Mr. McDOUGALL (Lanark North): There are not forty
millions of acres of arable land in the whole North West Territory.
Hon. Mr. TILLEY said he was not sure as to the number of
acres, but the land would secure the building of the railway.
It being six o'clock the House rose.
AFTER RECESS
Hon. Mr. TILLEY resumed the debate. He had been pointing
out the difference between the proposition of British Columbia, and
that adopted ultimately, which he regarded as the more favourable
to the Dominion. In connection with the railway scheme he would
take issue with his hon. friend from Sherbrooke. By the
construction of the road the population of the Pacific coast would
soon be so increased as to pay for the cost of the road in a very
short time. A gentleman who had worked in the mines of
California, lecturing on this subject a few years ago, argued that
such a result would soon be attained by building the railway. The
hon. member for Sherbrooke was willing to give a subsidy to
British Columbia without admitting it as a Province for some time
to come. In making this admission, the hon. member gave up the
whole case, for, if he could not object to giving a subsidy under
such circumstances and without deriving every advantage from the
expenditure, he surely ought not to object when British Columbia
was ready to surrender her revenues to the Dominion. The increase
of the debt would not fall on the present population of the
Dominion alone. The evidence which the increase of the Western
States since the construction of railways through them, was that the
North West would soon be filled up with a population brought there
by the new railway which would soon pay for its construction. With
reference to the question of fortifications, he would say that he
hoped the result of the present negotiations at Washington would be
such as to prevent all necessity for the constructing such works. The
expense for local works would hardly amount to as much as the
hon. member for Sherbrooke estimated they would. Excluding the
annual sum of $100,000 for the land grant and the expenses of
Government, these charges would amount to a total of $361,300.
The revenue amounted to $363,400, which, of course, would
largely increase in the future. The difference, therefore, was not so
great after all. Even supposing that the local Government should
accept our lower tariff, the revenue would reach $308,000. The
$100,000 was, therefore, the amount of expenditure in excess of
receipts, and for this the Dominion received a large grant of
valuable land. Now, the question was, was the union of the colony
worth the cost? The Pacific Railway, already in course of
construction through the North Western States of the United States,
was being built without the expenditure of a single dollar. It was
being built by the land grants which had been made to the company.
But, the hon. member for Lambton said there were only 50,000,000
acres of good land to be settled in the North West. Admitting it to
be the fact, what difference did it make so long as it was settled.
That was the main point. Persons who had travelled through the
Fertile Belt had informed him that there was no engineering
difficulties to be met with this side of the Rocky Mountains, and
there could be no difficulty in getting a company to undertake the
construction of the railway. Having said this much, the case was
clear. The question was now, whether it was better to embrace
the opportunity to complete the Confederation scheme, or to let
this best chance of all pass by unimproved for consummating
the union. He could understand why Annexationists should be
opposed to this extension of the Union, but he could not
understand how the Independence advocates like the hon.
282 COMMONS DEBATES
March 28, 1871
member for Sherbrooke could oppose it. He could tell hon.
members who did not approve of this scheme that delay was
dangerous, and if this chance to bring British Columbia was not
improved, that Colony might yet be absorbed into the American
Union.
Hon. Mr. TILLEY said as the country was at present the
miners were obliged to pay enormous prices for the necessaries
of life and they were looking to their country for the means of
communication by which they were to be supplied at reasonable
rates. If Canada would not undertake it, they might look to the
Republic for help. (
Hear, hear.) But this Union could benefit
Canada commercially, for the opening up of the North West and
the consequent increase of trade must bring an immense volume
of trade to Montreal and Quebec and the Maritime cities.
Everything conspired to make this Union a prosperous one and
he did not doubt that the House would sustain the measure
which was now submitted to them. (
Cheers.)
Mr. MACKENZIE regretted that the hon. gentleman
opposite could not discuss this question for three quarters of an
hour without threatening the annexation of that colony to the
United States if this House rejected the present propositions.
Such a line of argument could only be indulged in by the hon.
gentlemen in order to create a feeling that the papers brought
down as agreed between the Dominion Government, and that of
Columbia is in the nature of a treaty that is not to be altered by
any proposition to be made in this House; if such were the case
it would be useless to discuss the question. In 1865 the
Parliaments of Canada, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick were
told the same story with reference to the resolutions which
formed the basis of Confederation, but those resolutions were
afterwards altered by the delegation at London, and he was not
prepared to accept these resolutions in the nature of a treaty
which this House could not alter. He believed on the other hand
that it was essential for the future prosperity of the Dominion,
that this colony should be admitted into the Union and that there
should be the best possible understanding as to the terms of
admission to prevent future complications, and he should not be
prepared to acquiesce quietly in the resolutions which had been
prepared by the hon. gentlemen opposite. By these resolutions,
the basis of our political system would be violated as was done
in the case of Manitoba last session, and after the struggle which
had to be gone through to secure that basis, he should certainly
oppose any further attempt to alter it, that is representation by
population as regards the House of Commons. Some deviation
he acknowledged might be made in the Senate. The Hon.
Minister of Customs tells us that the population of Whites,
Chinese, and Indians is 60,000 in that country, but we have
never given representation under our system to Indians. If such
were allowed we could claim several more members for
Ontario. He would consent to a considerable grant of money to
carry on the Government of a new colony, and particularly of
such a difficult country as Columbia, and he would not show
himself less liberal than any other member of this House in
considering what ought to be done in the present case. In the
discussion in reference to Newfoundland, he preferred allowing
a sum to carry on the Government rather than make over the
public hands, as while the revenue was $3,000 per annum, the
cost of management was $6,000, and he took the same view
with regard to the land grant for the construction of the railway
to the Pacific.
From all he knew of the country after descending from the
Rocky Mountains the country was valueless for agricultural
purposes. The gold mines have certainly proved very
remunerative, but they are carried on by large companies, and
the large importations of breadstuffs into the colony
corroborated the barrenness of the land. He thought the
Government should be prepared to give every information as to
the mode they propose of constructing the Railway, and whether
any propositions had been received for its construction. He
denounced the Government for desiring to undertake the
completion of the work in ten years, and should certainly record
his protest against such an arrangement, and he considered that
to give such an immense grant as was proposed to any Company
would be to retard the settlement of the country, as was found to
be the case in the western States. He doubted very much if the
Province of Ontario would grant the land as anticipated by the
Minister of Customs, and if they did the greater part of it was
valueless for cultivation, and certainly would not realize $1 per
acre as estimated. The Northern Pacific road was largely built
by English capital before the land and money grant of the
United States was obtained, and the difficulties were not to be
compared to those which would be met on the Canadian
Railway.
The Canadian Pacific Railway would cost from six to seven
times as much as the Intercolonial, and he was not prepared to
involve the country so deeply. He then moved an amendment
that all the words after "that" be expunged, and the following
substituted,
"the proposed terms of union with British Columbia pledge the Dominion to
commence within two years and complete within ten years the Pacific Railway,
the route for which has not been surveyed nor its expense calculated. The said
terms also pledge the Government of Canada to a yearly payment to British
Columbia, of the sum of $100,000 in perpetuity, equal to a capital sum of
$2,000,000 for the cession of a tract of Wasteland on the route of the Pacific
Railway to aid in its construction, which British Columbia ought to cede without
charge, in like manner as the lands of Canada are proposed to be ceded for the
same purpose. This House is of opinion that Canada should not be pledged to do
more than proceed at once with the necessary surveys and after the route is
determined, to prosecute the work at as early a period as the state of the finances
will justify."
Mr. GRANT: I have listened with a very great degree of
pleasure to the broad spirited and statesmanlike observations of the
hon. Minister of Militia and Defence. Truly, this is the age of union,
in which we, as a people enjoying the fullest extent of freedom
under the eye and protection of the Mother Country, should come
together and realize the privileges of union in the widest and most
March 28, 1871 COMMONS DEBATES
283
comprehensive sense. Last session the whole of the North West
Territory was brought into this Dominion by the almost unanimous
consent of the members of this House, owing to the very
satisfactory terms arranged by the Hon. the Minister of Militia and
Defence, and the hon. member for Lanark opposite. Today we are
taking into serious consideration the desirability of adding one more
link to the Confederation scheme by the taking in of British
Columbia. The time then is not far distant when we shall have a
greater degree of intercourse in trade and travel, and if possible a
greater extension of those principles of free speech which we now
enjoy with courteous personal consultation. These are the signs of
the times: these are the signs by which four millions of Her
Majesty's subjects, scattered over this widespread country,
recognize the importance of self-govemment with a warm
allegiance to that sovereign who, though distant, dwells in the
homes and hearts of the people of this country.
It must be a source of great gratification to all interested in the
prosperity of this Dominion to learn today the terms upon which
British Columbia is to be admitted into the Union. That section of
country though remote as to position is an all important one from a
Dominion point of view. It possesses a most salubrious climate,
well known agricultural capacity, and as to value is entirely beyond
present computation both politically and commercially. In looking
over the statistics of 1868, 1 observed that there had been no
apparent increase in the population for that year beyond the children
born in the country, and notwithstanding the great numbers who
annually emigrate from Great Britain and various parts of Europe to
the North American continent, it is surprising that with all the
attractions of the Pacific section of British North America so few
emigrants should have found their way there up to the present date,
and more particularly so when we consider its climate, its soil, and
its resources, such as coal, iron, timber and gold. The vigorous
measures about to be adopted will doubtless be the means of
causing a greater tide of immigration than has been observed at any
time in the history of that country. An examination of the statistics
of the population of British Columbia shows the somewhat
remarkable fact that the male exceeds the female population by
about 277 per cent. Such an anomalous condition does not, that I
am aware of, exist in any other country at the present time—in
England, the United States and in Canada—precisely the reverse is
the case.
The wonder is that British Columbia should have attained its
present prosperous condition wanting in so great a measure so
material an element of success. (Cheers.) 1n 1863 British Columbia
was looked upon as being then, in a flourishing condition,
stimulated as it was to the utmost degree of intensity by the gold
fever. After a time, things in general assumed a more normal state,
and business on the whole gradually rested on a more substantial
basis. Farms became cultivated, immense herds of cattle were
raised, saw and grist mills were erected, and the lumberman's axe
found its way into the magnificent forests of that country, in places
where a few years before such was scarcely dreamt of Material
prosperity and general advancement are now taking the place of the
feverish gold excitement, which is gradually passing away. When
we become possessors of British Columbia, we shall have a most
magnificent inland sea of harbours such as between Vancouver and
the main land. It appears as if set apart by a special providence as a
depot for the shipping of the East, and as an entrance to the great
highway for all nations across the British American Continent,
doubtless in course of time, the trade of China, Japan and the
Asiatic Archipelago will centre there. This is the prize that was as
anxiously sought after in ancient as it is in modern times. Persia,
Assyria, Carthage and Rome prospered and held, in fact,
commercial supremacy while they controlled the trade of the East.
Venice, Genoa, Lisbon, Amsterdam and London each in turn held a
proud commercial position, while it catered up the luxuries of the
East for the Western world. This is the inheritance of the Pacific
Coast.
We, the people of this Dominion, have every assurance that Great
Britain has a warm interest in our prosperity. What better or more
substantial proof could we have than the expression of the
sentiment which only a few days ago flashed across the Atlantic
telegraph, that England would as soon think of having itself
annexed to the United States as to allow any portion of this country
be attached to the neighbouring Republic. Both England and the
United States are equally well aware that the time has now arrived
when that power which shall be enabled to construct the shortest
route between Asia and Europe will hold the commercial
supremacy of this continent in its grasp. The great trade of the East
will not alone pass through the Suez Canal and the Red Sea. This is
the prize which we as a people must look forward to, and certainly
it is one which is well worth the endeavour to obtain. An able
English writer remarks that the great benefit to be derived from the
experience of the past is the application of its teaching to the
present. Thus, in taking a retrospective view of Confederation, and
the benefits arising out of it, even although the time is short since its
inception, we must be congnizant of the fact that day by day we are
becoming more intimately associated as a people, co-operating in
every way that is possible to develop our resources. During the
early discussions on the subject of Confederation, a frequent
expression was "whither are we drifting." This was reiterated until
at last it became irksome and unworthy of attention. The only
sentiment which seemed in any way likely to form with it a twin
was the theory of independence. Both of these have had their day,
and now I feel satisfied that the impression of everyone who takes a
warm interest in the welfare of our country is that both these ill-
judged sentiments have gone down unhonoured and unsung.
Fortunate is it that trade has a natural and inevitable power to
rectify itself. For a time after the repeal of the Reciprocity Treaty
this country was put to a moderate degree of inconvenience;
however, the master mechanical minds and the politicians of the
country, so accommodated matters and things in general as to tide
that difficulty over, and now a more prosperous state of affairs
exists than we have experienced for many years. As the result of the
vigorous policy of those in charge of the affairs of Government, we
are happy to recognize the very important fact that our Finance
Minister has been so exceedingly successful in his operations as to
have been enabled to bring down in his recent budget a surplus of
284 COMMONS DEBATES
March 28, 1871
no less than two and a half millions of dollars! Truly our Dominion
under these circumstances cannot be suffering! Our merchants are
not embarrassed; our young men are not leaving the country to seek
employment in distant parts as formerly, and we have every
assurance that the farmers of the country are reaping the benefits of
their labour and industry in finding ready markets for their produce.
Still further evidences of the prosperous state of our Dominion are
found in the condition of our savings banks, the ordinary bank
deposits, the prosperity of our municipal institutions, our increased
and increasing railway traffic, our large importations and our
rapidly increasing exports. All these beyond doubt point
incontrovertibly to a flourishing state of affairs throughout our
Dominion at the present day.
When we review the commercial history of the British American
Provinces for the past thirty years, we notice that the progress of old
Canada dates from the Union of the Eastern with the Western
section and has followed the construction of Canals and Railways.
The present Canal system of Canada was brought to its present
condition, with all its imperfections the finest in the world—during
that period. Twenty years ago, there were only some fifty miles of
railway in operation in the Province. At present, the total number of
miles of rail is nearly 3,000—one of the lines is the second longest
on the Continent—the total cost of these works is nearly
$160,000,000—the total amount of their earnings cannot be less
than $13,000,000 annually. In 1841 when we commenced our canal
improvements the revenue of Old Canada was $1,283,000 or $1 per
head for every man, woman and child within its limits. In 1854, the
commencement of railway enterprise, it was $5,694,000, or $2 per
head', in 1866 it was above $12,000,000 or $4 per head. In 1850 the
population of united Canada was only 1,842,265, and the exports
some $30,000,000 or about $15.50 for every person. At present the
total population is over 3,500,000 and exports $120,000,000 or
nearly $35 per head. Or let us illustrate the subject by reference to
the Dominion. In 1843 the revenue was about $2,000,000, whilst at
the present time it is about $15,000,000, or about $3.50 per head of
the population. In 1806 the value of exports from all British North
America was only $9,287,940; in 1831 $16,523,579; in 1870 it was
$73,573,490. In 1851 the tonnage entered inwards by sea in all
British North American ports was 1,590,663. In 1870 the tonnage
entered inwards by sea in the Dominion was 5,796,663. In 1851 the
tonnage cleared outwards in all British North America was
1,583,104. In 1870 the tonnage cleared outwards in Canada was
5,619,745. In 1806, the aggregate tonnage of British America was
71,943; in 1850, 446,935; at the present time, it is upwards of
950,000.
The expenditures have kept pace with the receipts during the
period mentioned, and were devoted to a large extent to useful
public works indispensable to the material development of the
country. Our wealth, however, is increasing in a greater ratio than it
was at the time we entered into large expenditures for canals, and
our ability to go into important enterprises necessary to the
expansion of Trade and Commerce is correspondingly improved.
Before closing my remarks, I would wish to allude briefly to an
important union which took place some time ago in the North West
Country, and one which bears materially upon the prosperity of that
section as far as the fur trade is concerned. The Hudson's Bay
Company is an association formed, as it is well known, of two
distinct elements, the stockholders who, as a company have other
interests apart from those of fur trading; and the chief factors and
chief traders known as the working partners of the fur trade portion
of the concern. The stockholders are the representatives of those to
whom, under the name of "The Company of Adventurers of
England trading in the Hudson's Bay" was granted the charter by
King Charles II to trade furs, etc. in the Hudson's Bay and adjacent
country. This company established a few posts near the shores of
the Bay, and for years confined their operations within
comparatively a short distance from the coast. In course of time
they advanced into the interior, where they came in contact with
other traders, of whom the most active were sent out by a company
having its headquarters in Canada and known as "The North West
Company."
For a number of years these two rival companies competed for
trade with such determination that not unfrequently when opposing
parties met a conflict took place, resulting in loss of life. Under
these circumstances it is not a matter of surprise that the business
was found to be carried on at a considerable loss to both parties in
consequence of which a Union took place. Since that time, business
has been carried on to the mutual benefit and satisfaction of all
parties concerned. The Factors, Traders and Officers in the service
of the Company, generally may be considered Canadians as hitherto
with but few exceptions, they have all either settled on the Red
River or come down to Ontario and Quebec. In dealing, therefore,
with this question of the Hudson's Bay Company, it is to be hoped
that the interests of these people will not be overlooked. The Fur
Trade is a subject of no ordinary importance at the present time.
Instead of leaving the Indians at the mercy of whoever may come in
contact with them, there are but two alternatives, either of which,
according to the opinion of experienced men, if adopted, might be
made a source of large revenue to the Dominion. Of course it
cannot be expected that the company will continue the fostering
care with which it has hitherto treated the Indians in the trade
operations with them. The fur country may become flooded with
unscrupulous adventurers in consequence of which the company
will be obliged in a great measure to abandon the practice of giving
supplies to them. Without the usual advances in the autumn a great
number of the unfortunate people will be obliged to abandon
systematic fur hunting in order to devote their chief attention to pot-
hunting to support their families and prolong their own lives. It is
only in case of competition that there is danger of the Indians
suffering.
When in the control of a company it will be the duty of that
company to give proper supplies, which could not possibly be
accomplished with rival parties scouring the country, and it is
not unlikely that the scenes enacted half a century ago would
under such circumstances be revived. It appears to me that
some plan such as that adopted with regards to the salmon
fisheries of the Lower St. Lawrence might be applicable in
letting out the fur country of the North West. It is true that a
few individuals might thus control the trade, but such would
March 28, 1871 COMMONS DEBATES
285
be vastly preferable to leaving it open to all comers from all
parts of the world, which could not but prove exceedingly
injurious to the trade. The existing divisions of the country
into districts as recognized by the Hudson's Bay Company is
of great importance, inasmuch as such districts have different
tribes—a very important fact both for the Indians and the
trade.
If not disposed of as the salmon fisheries the whole trade
might be managed by an experienced Board of Direction. This
would be the best for the country, and likely under all
circumstances most profitable. This trade is a subject of vast
importance, for it involves the living of fully 75,000 of our
fellow subjects, and nothing could be more desirable than to
direct the affairs of the Indians in such a manner as may be
generally acceptable to the chiefs of those great bodies. The
principle must be protection not extermination. Thus, the
Indians would become peaceable subjects, and warm adherents
to whoever would tend most towards the welfare of the
Northern fur trading country.
At the lowest estimate, the value of the exports, that is
including the fur obtained from British Columbia, would
amount to about $1,000,000 annually. This, if well managed, it
is supposed by competent authority would yield fully half that
amount to the revenue of this Dominion. As this whole matter
will no doubt receive the consideration of the Government, I
would merely say in conclusion that I trust the day is near at
hand when British Columbia will become part and parcel of
the Dominion. (Cheers.)
Mr. MASSON (Terrebonne) had always been opposed to
the acquisition of the North West, and to-night he heard from
the hon. member for Lambton that he had good reason for that
opposition. It seemed that, after all, there were only some
50,000,000 acres of habitable land in the whole territory which
was capable of sustaining a population of about two millions
of people, giving twenty-five acres to each person. A very
different state of affairs to what the House had been led to
believe existed. Now, after having acquired the unsettled four-
fifths of the territories there, the House was asked to take
possession of the remaining settled one-fifth. It seemed to him
that having got the worst part of the land, having pushed our
boundaries up to the verge of the wilderness, the House need
hardly hesitate about extending the Dominion to the Pacific.
Then, with respect to the railway, he believed it would be
better to construct it with as little delay as possible, and he
believed the Government policy to be the correct one.
Mr. CARTWRIGHT doubted whether $100,000,000 was a
sufficiently large estimate of the cost of constructing a Pacific
Railway 2,500 miles in length. The House should consider
well before taking upon the Dominion such a debt as they were
now asked to bear. The present obligations of the country
either actually incurred or to be incurred amounted to not less
than $130,000,000. Then they were asked to increase it
$6,000,000 by this measure, and besides the minimum cost of
the Pacific Railway, which was $100,000,000. This would give
a total debt of $240,000,000, which would place on each
family in the Dominion a debt of $125. The result would be to
ruin our credit at home and abroad. Then the Government
proposed to give to this railway a grant of land amounting to
100,000 square miles—a tract of country equal to the whole
New England States, or to New York, Pennsylvania and Ohio.
He believed if the people of British Columbia who had shown
such a liberal spirit in these negotiations were informed that it
would be physically impossible for this Dominion to undertake
the construction of a railway at a cost of from $100,000,000
and complete it within ten years, they would consent to a
modification of the terms proposed to this House. He was
strongly in favour of the Union and was willing to go as far as
it could safely be done to consummate Confederation by the
admission of this colony into the Dominion. But the House
should be careful before risking the safety of the
Confederation by incurring a burden of debt under which they
might sink.
Mr. YOUNG said that while he was a Unionist, he felt that
the measure before the House was objectionable. He was of
opinion that the Dominion should not seek to incur large
indebtedness to secure the admission of British Columbia into
the Union until all the Eastern Provinces were added to the
Confederation. Under any circumstances there were provisions
in this Bill which were objectionable. Chief among these was
the departure from the established principle of representation.
He referred to the proposed railway, and read from a report of
Mr. Fleming on the subject an extract to the effect that the
engineering difficulties to be overcome were startling in their
magnitude, while the cost of keeping the road in running order
would alone render it a formidable undertaking, being not less
than $10,000,000, and until the gross annual earnings of the
line should reach $14,000,000, the railway would not pay the
expenses connected with maintaining it. Speaking of the
financial aspect of the measure he quoted statements as to the
charges on the Government. And the revenue to be derived,
showing that British Columbia would receive $225,000 more
than she paid in, and even that calculation was contingent on
the continuance of the tariff now in force, which was very
uncertain. He maintained that these conditions were not fair to
the rest of the Dominion, and the result would be that the
finances would go back to the chronic state of deficiency that
had existed some years ago.
Mr. BLAKE desired to call the attention of the House to the
single point before it. As one who was always desirous that the
Union should be created, and that the express objects of the Union
Act, which contemplated the admission of British Columbia, should
be consummated as rapidly as circumstances and prudence would
permit. He retorted on those who had uttered it, the accusation that
he was desirous that the Union should be consummated. He had
been at a loss how an Administration basing its claim to public
confidence on professions of representing the Great Union Party
286 COMMONS DEBATES
March 28, 1871
could come down to the House with a proposition which would be
fatal to the existence of confederation. A reference to public
documents, however, had convinced him that the true object of the
Administration must have been to destroy all present hope of a
Union on reasonable and prudent terms. His reason for this
conclusion was that the Department which was naturally charged
with the conduct of negotiations on this subject was under the
control of a gentleman who had, some time ago, in a letter to the
public of Canada, used expressions, which in him (Mr. Blake)
would have been called treason, and he could not but think that the
preposterous proposition of the Government with respect to the
Pacific Railway, was specially framed to defeat a Union with
British Columbia.
These observations were made by Mr. Howe, when he was about
to assume the position of Secretary of State. These being his
expounded views, written in a deliberate letter, who could wonder
that he was a party to bringing down a measure so iniquitous that
the House could not help rejecting it. No wonder then that Governor
Musgrave should have stated publicly that he was amazed at the
concessions granted by the Canadian Government. Were not hon.
members justified then, in asking for further information before
taking this irrevocable step. If this measure should become law, the
faith of the Dominion would be blighted and without the consent of
British Columbia could never break one jot or tittle these cast-iron
obligations. But the hon. Minister of Militia did not propose to
increase the taxation of the country. Let him then put it in the
bargain with British Columbia that no future misunderstandings
might arise in the fulfillment of our pledge. Hon. members opposite
had stated that they were willing to give 60,000,000 acres of land to
aid the railway, and to pay off the interest on the debt incurred by
the railway by the sale of lands in the North West. The Ontario
Government had found it advisable to make free grants of their
lands to settlers, instead of making a revenue from them, and the
Dominion Government would find it no less difficult to derive a
revenue from lands in the North West.
He (Mr. Blake) called upon every member in this House to
consider whether he was not betraying the interests of the Dominion
in ratifying this bargain which the administration of the day had
made. The fixed date of commencement and completion of the
railway were dead weights on the enterprise under which the
country was already staggering. They enhanced the difficulty of the
undertaking. Could any country expect more than a promise to
build this railway as soon as possible? Could British Columbia
expect more from this Dominion? He was an advocate of Union,
but under such terms as these, he considered it his duty to oppose it.
He did not blame British Columbia for these unjust stipulations, but
he blamed this Government for having stultified themselves by
making such proposals. No solid argument could be brought against
the view that the terms proposed by British Columbia and to which
the colony was content to submit, should have been accepted by the
Dominion Government. The amendment of the hon. member for
Lambton was not in opposition to the union. The Opposition did not
oppose the scheme but the unjust terms by which it was
accompanied, and he could not see how any lover of his country
should hesitate as to what course to take with respect to this
measure.
After a short discussion as to whether the debate should be
adjourned or continued,
Mr. BOLTON rose to explain his position with respect to this
measure, and opposed the Ministerial scheme.
The debate was adjourned, and the House rose at midnight.
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