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Confederation Occurs
With the passing of the British North American Act, the Dominion of Canada was created. This originally was composed of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario and Quebec. The dominion was ruled under a federal government with the provincial governments receiving control over health and education. -
Manitoba joins Canada
The purpose of the Manitoba Act was to convince the inhabitants of Manitoba, the Métis, to join the Dominion of Canada. This was done by offering land as well as religious and cultural rights. The negotiations made with the Métis demonstrated to other minorities that changes could be made.
Image: The red section shows the area of land the Manitoba Act affected. -
Northwest Territories joins Canada
Canada bought Rupert's Land and the North-Western Territory in 1870. They were combined and renamed the Northwest Territories. At the time, the land consisted of most of the remaining pre-Confederation Canada. It included Yukon, Nunavut, Manitoba, Alberta and Saskatchewan. -
British Colombia joins Confederation
British Colombia joined Confederation under the agreement that the federal government would start a transcontinental railway within two years and finish it within ten. In addition, the federal government would provide protection against an American takeover and financial help for building roads and services. This was a important step in unifying Canada, as British Colombia was an extremely secluded area before joining Confederation.
Image: The green area shows British Colombia. -
P.E.I. joins Canada
P.E.I. had tried to build its own railroad but ran out of funds, leaving it in a state of economic disaster. It joined Canada to receive financial aid. This was a large step towards John A. Macdonald's dream of a Canada that stretched "from sea to sea." -
Yukon joins Canada
Once gold was discovered in Yukon, hoards of people invaded the area, many being Americans. To show that they controlled the area, Canada sent in the Northwest Mounted Police. Due to the Yukon's proximity to Alaska, many people feared that the United States would attempt to take over the area if it didn't join Confederation. Originally being part of the NW territories, it separated and joined Canada independently. -
Saskatchewan and Alberta join Canada
Numerous new jobs in farming, logging, mining, the fur trade, and the construction of the new railway attracted many people to Saskatchewan and Alberta. The provinces realized that they needed taxes for education and other services required by the growing population. To have the same government as other provinces, and to collect said taxes, Saskatchewan and Alberta joined the Dominion of Canada. Originally being part of the NW territories, they separated and joined Canada independently. -
An Act to Confer Electoral Franchise Upon Women
This was an enormous victory for suffragettes and a big step towards Canada as we know it, as this act granted all Caucasian women franchise. However, women of Aboriginal, African, and Asian descent were still unable to vote. -
Versailles Treaty
The Versailles Treaty settled the peace terms at the end of the First World War. During the negotiations, Canada had representation as a country separate from Britain for the first time, making the event a major step towards its development as an individual entity. -
Old-Age Pensions Bill
Introduced by William Lyon Mackenzie King, old age pensions were originally for all citizens under 70+ years of age who could pass the "means test," or prove their financial need. In 1951 the means test was taken away because of universality, and the age required to receive it gradually decreased to 65 by the 1960s. -
Great Depression
Of all the countries that struggled, Canada arguably suffered the most during the Great Depression from 1929 to the late 1930s. The prices of Canada's main exports, including lumber and cattle, dropped up to 63%. Although we no longer feel the economic pressures of the Great Depression today, it lead up to many important events, such as Newfoundland joining Canada. It also lead Canadians to think the government should work as a social safety net, helping the public with programs like Medicare. -
Natural Resources Act
This act stated that natural resources would belong to whichever province they were found within the borders of. This gave the provincial governments a considerable amount of power.
Image: The Manitoba Department of Natural Resources patch. -
Statute of Westminster
Through this Act of Parliament, all countries within the Commonwealth became fully autonomous, self-governing entities. This meant that their own governments, not the government in London, would have the final say in any issues pertaining to their own national affairs. -
Unemployment Insurance Introduced
Unemployment insurance was introduced by Prime Minister William Lyon MacKenzie King. It primarily provides temporary financial support to unemployed Canadians so they can find another job after losing their original one due to causes beyond their control. -
Newfoundland joins Canada
After WWII, Britain's support for Newfoundland diminished, leaving it in economic despair. With the financial effects of the Depression and the collapse of responsible government, the economy was in pieces. However, after Canada offered to help pay for roads and develop the colony, and after two provincial referendums, Newfoundland became the last province to join Canada. -
Concept of Medicare Created
In 1962, Medicare was instituted in Saskatchewan, and was later copied by all provinces. Medicare is the idea that everyone across Canada has reasonable access to necessary medical care. The system is prepaid on a basis that ensures everyone can get the medical help they need. -
Patriation
The Act of Patriation allowed the Canadian Constitution to be changed or amended without requiring the approval of the British Parliament.
Image: Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau and Justice Minister Jean Chrétien at the Constitutional Conference, late 1981. -
Meech Lake Accord
This accord was created to entice Quebec to endorse the Canada Act. For the notion to be passed, all legislatures of the provinces and the federal parliament had to approve by June 23. But on the day of ratification, an Aboriginal member of the Manitoba legislature didn't vote: Elijah Harper. This led to the premier of Newfoundland voting against the accord, which stopped the notion. Its impact today is that it was part of the reason of why Quebec is so separated from the other provinces. -
Government Begins to Work Towards Aboriginal Self-Governing
Since the election held on this date in 1993, the federal government has been working towards giving the Aboriginals self-government. Their efforts have been inhibited by those Canadians who want everyone to live by the same rules, under the principle of equality. -
Nunavut joins Canada
Within Nunavut reside its native aboriginal inhabitants: the Inuit. Many decisions about Confederation had been made, and among them were decisions about how the lnuit's land would be used. As the Inuit weren't even consulted first, they realized that joining Canada might be the only way to regain control over their own Arctic resources and lands. Negotiations took place, and the Inuit regained control over the land when they separated from the NW territories and joined Canada as a territory.
