Canadian Confederation

Canadian Confederation, or the Confederation of Canada, was the process that ultimately brought together a union among the provinces, colonies and territories of British North America to form the Dominion of Canada, a dominion of the British Empire, which today is the federal nation state called Canada.

Fathers of Confederation

Confederation was first agreed upon at the Charlottetown Conference in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island in 1864, although Prince Edward Island did not actually join Confederation until 1873. The specifics were then mostly determined at the Quebec Conference in Quebec City later in 1864, and at a final London Conference in 1866. The following lists the participants in the conferences and their attendance at each stage. They are known as the Fathers of Confederation.

Related Topics:
Charlottetown Conference - Charlottetown - Prince Edward Island - 1864 - 1873 - Quebec Conference - Quebec City - London Conference - 1866

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There were 36 original Fathers of Confederation. Harry Bernard, who was the Recording Secretary at the Charlottetown conference, is considered by some to be a Father of Confederation. The later "Fathers" who brought the other provinces into Confederation after 1867 (such as Joey Smallwood) are also referred to as "Fathers of Confederation." In this way, Amor de Cosmos who was both instrumental in bringing democracy to British Columbia, and bringing his province into Confederation, is considered by many to be a Father of Confederation.

Related Topics:
Joey Smallwood - Amor de Cosmos - British Columbia

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There is also a modern trend, by no means universally supported, to regard Louis Riel as a Father of Confederation for his role in bringing Manitoba into confederation following the Red River Rebellion of 1869 – 1870, despite his having been executed for treason following the North-West Rebellion of 1885.

Related Topics:
Louis Riel - Manitoba - Red River Rebellion - 1869 - 1870 - Treason - North-West Rebellion - 1885

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Table of participation