CANADA HISTORY

Charlottetown

The Charlottetown Conference of September 1, 1864, holds a pivotal place in Canadian history, marking the beginning of the process that would ultimately lead to the Confederation of Canada in 1867. While the original intention of the conference was to address a potential union of the Maritime Colonies—Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and possibly Newfoundland—the meeting quickly transformed into a broader discussion about the creation of a united political entity involving all the British North American colonies, including Canada East and Canada West (modern-day Quebec and Ontario). The Union of the Canadas had been mired in political stalemate, and many saw a larger union as the key to breaking the deadlock and ensuring more stable governance.

At the heart of this transformation was the realization by the Canadian leaders, particularly John A. Macdonald and Georges-Étienne Cartier, that a larger union with the Maritime colonies could offer numerous benefits, including a resolution to the deep political divisions that had paralyzed the government of the Canadas. Since the Act of Union in 1841, Canada East and Canada West had shared a government, but the political system—designed to give both regions equal representation—had become increasingly dysfunctional. Regional divisions and ethnic differences between French-speaking Canada East and English-speaking Canada West made the formation of stable majority governments nearly impossible, leading to frequent political crises. A union with the Maritimes, it was believed, could shift the balance, allowing for the formation of stable majorities in a larger political framework.

Initially, the Charlottetown Conference was supposed to be a regional gathering, with the Maritime colonies discussing the possibility of creating a Maritime Union. This idea had been gaining traction as a way for the colonies to work more closely together and address common concerns, including defense and economic cooperation. The discussions were driven by a desire to ensure that the smaller colonies had a stronger voice in regional and imperial affairs. However, as news of the conference spread, leaders in the Canadas recognized the opportunity to advance a much broader agenda: the creation of a confederation of all the British North American colonies.

The Canadian government, seeing the potential for a larger political union to solve its own problems, asked if it could send a delegation to Charlottetown to present the case for Confederation. The Maritime leaders, intrigued by the possibility of a wider union that might better secure their economic and political future, agreed to allow a Canadian delegation to attend the conference. This delegation, led by John A. Macdonald and Georges-Étienne Cartier, arrived in Charlottetown with a clear agenda: to promote a broader union that would include not only the Maritimes but also Canada East and Canada West.

On September 1, 1864, the Charlottetown Conference opened, bringing together political leaders from the Maritimes and the Canadas. The initial focus of the Maritime delegates remained on the discussion of a possible Maritime Union, but the Canadians quickly shifted the conversation toward a larger and more ambitious project. The Canadian delegation presented a vision of a united British North America that would not only break the political stalemate in the Canadas but also create a stronger, more cohesive entity that could compete economically and politically on the continent.

The Canadian delegation skillfully highlighted the economic and strategic benefits of a larger confederation. They argued that a union would create expanded markets for each colony, allowing for increased trade and economic growth. By combining their resources, the colonies could also invest in infrastructure projects, such as the Intercolonial Railway, which would link the regions and facilitate communication, commerce, and defense. The threat of American expansionism loomed large, particularly in the aftermath of the American Civil War, and the Canadians stressed that a united British North America would be better able to defend itself against potential encroachment from the United States.

The vision of a united confederation also held political appeal for many of the Maritime leaders. While some feared that their interests would be overshadowed by the larger and more populous Canadas, others recognized the opportunities that such a union could offer. Maritime politicians saw the potential to play a role on a larger political stage, with the ability to influence national policies and participate in a more robust political system. Additionally, the inclusion of opposition leaders in the discussions helped to foster a sense of consensus, ensuring that political divisions within the colonies would not derail the process.

The Maritime delegates were gradually won over by the Canadian proposals, particularly after days of discussion and debate. The inclusion of opposition leaders from each of the colonies in the talks was a crucial factor in building consensus. By including a broad spectrum of political voices, the delegates ensured that the agreement would face minimal opposition from smaller political factions back home. This was critical in avoiding political infighting that could derail the process of union, which had been one of the primary causes of the deadlock in the Canadas.

One of the key achievements of the Charlottetown Conference was the agreement to continue discussions on a larger confederation. The delegates left the conference with a shared vision and a commitment to meet again in Quebec City in October 1864 to work out the details of a potential union. The Canadian representatives had successfully shifted the agenda from a Maritime Union to a British North American Confederation, laying the groundwork for what would ultimately become the Dominion of Canada.

The Charlottetown Conference was thus a turning point in the history of Canada. It marked the beginning of the process that would lead to Confederation and the birth of a new nation in 1867. The success of the conference demonstrated the power of negotiation and compromise in Canadian politics, as well as the importance of building consensus across regions and political factions. It also showcased the leadership and vision of figures like John A. Macdonald and Georges-Étienne Cartier, who saw the potential for a united British North America and worked tirelessly to make that vision a reality.

The decision to move forward with a larger political union reflected the desire of the colonies to assert greater control over their own affairs, while still maintaining ties to Britain. The British North America Act of 1867, which would formalize the creation of the Dominion of Canada, was rooted in the discussions that began in Charlottetown, and the principles agreed upon during the conference—federalism, economic cooperation, and mutual defense—continue to shape the political landscape of Canada today.

In summary, the Charlottetown Conference was not just a moment of political negotiation; it was the foundation of a nation. What began as a discussion about the future of the Maritime colonies evolved into a conversation about the future of British North America as a whole. The agreements reached in Charlottetown set the stage for Confederation, providing the framework for a political union that would ultimately lead to the creation of Canada. The Charlottetown Conference remains a key milestone in Canadian history, embodying the spirit of collaboration and compromise that has defined the country since its inception.





It has been said...that we only come now seeking union with these provinces to escape from our sectional difficulties at home... the existing coalition was formed expressly for the purpose of settling justly and permanently the constitutional relations between Upper and Lower Canada... We are pledged as a government to place before parliament at its next session a bill giving effect to the conditions of our conquest...You will therefore clearly perceive that we have not come here to seek relief from our trouble, - for the remedy of our grievances is already agreed upon, and come what may the larger scheme now before us, our smaller scheme will certainly be accomplished. Our sole object in coming here is to say to you: 'We are about to amend our constitution; and before finally doing so, we invite you to enter with us frankly and earnestly into the inquiry whether it would not be for the advantage of all of the British American Colonies to be embraced under one political system. Let us look the whole question steadily in the face; if we find it advantageous let us act upon it; but if not, let the whole thing drop.... Speech delivered by George Brown at a Banquet in Halifax on September 12, 1864



The Governor Generals House - Charlottetown



The Room where the delegates met at the Charlottetown conference