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Confederation
The British North America Act was brought through British Parliament without debate. The bill was signed by Queen Victoria on March 29, 1867 and it was decided Canada would become an official country on July 1. Ottawa is the capital and Sir John A. Macdonald becomes Canada's first prime minister. -
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Major Events Post-Confederation
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Manitoba Formed
Manitoba, along with most of the rest of British North America including the Nortwest Territories, is formed. -
British Columbia Joins Confederation
Due to the slowed down economy from the collapse of the gold rush and a desire for a responsible government, British Columbia became the seventh province of Canada. -
Women Can Vote
Female property owners in British Columbia are the first Canadian women able to vote in elections. -
Tariffs, Railway, and Immigration to the West are Introduced
In his National Policy, John A. Macdonald introduces protective tariffs on manufactured goods being brought into Canada, a transcontinental railway, and immigration to the west. -
Alberta and Saskatchewan Formed
Many people coming into the territory to work in new industries, such as farming, logging, and mining wanted a stronger government like Quebec and Ontario, so these two new provinces were created. -
Ontario, Quebec, and Manitoba are Expanded
Ontario, Quebec, and Manitoba were expanded to their present-day boundaries. -
First Canadian Troops are Sent to England For World War I
Britain declares war on Germany on August 4, 1914, automatically pulling Canada into conflict. -
Parliament Buildings Destroyed by Fire
On a cold night, the Centre Block of the Parliament Buildings with the exception of the library was destroyed in a fire. Seven people died. There were rumours that it was sabotage, but an investigation concluded it was accidental. -
Canada Signs Treaty of Versailles
Canada signed the Treaty of Versailles, ending the war, independently from Britain. They were able to do this largely because of the significance in the contribution to the war. -
Canada Declares War on Germany
After Nazi Germany invaded Poland on September 1, 1939, Canada decided to declare war, largely to assert their independence from Great Britain. -
Nunavut Formed
Nunavut was the outcome of a large aboriginal land claim between the Canadian government and the Inuit people, separating Nunavut from the Northwest Territories.
