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Responsible Government
Just after the rebellions of Upper Canada (1837-1838) and Lower Canada (1837), Lord Durham was made Governor General of British North America and was asked to make a report on the colonies. In his report he suggested that the colonies were ready for responsible government. Responsible government means that there is a certain cabinet that adheres to the elected assembly instead to the ruling monarch. -
Nova Scotia Responsible Government
On February 2 1848 Nova Scotia became the first colony to adopt responsible government. -
New Brunswick Responsible Government
In May 1848 New Brunswick soon followed Nova Scotia to become the second colony to have responsible government -
Political Deadlock
The political deadlock of 1854-1864 was a huge problem for the government of Canada. A political deadlock is when no party can move or win in government. This time 10 governments were held and none of them were able to give the colony political stability. George Brown ended the deadlock by creating a coalition. -
The Plan
As the government had fallen again, John.A.Macdonald, the leader of the Conservative Party, was proposed a plan to him by, rather unexpectedly, George Brown, leader of the Liberal Party. The plan was to unite Upper and Lower Canada to form one huge colony. -
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Canada
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Coalition Government
On June 22 1864 George Brown, leader of the Clear Grits or Liberals, joined a coalition with John.A.Macdonald, leader of the Conservatives, and George-Étienne Cartier, thus creating a coalition government. A coalition government is a cabinet of government where several parties cooperate, usually in time of a crisis. This coalition government ended the ongoing political deadlock. -
Charlottetown Conference
On September 1, 1864, the Liberals and the Conservatives joined the Great Coalition and called forth a meeting in Charlottetown, PEI to work out some conditions so that the Maritime Provinces would join the union. -
Quebec Conference
In Quebec City, in October 1864, delegates met and agreed on what became known as The Seventy-Two Resolutions, -
Confederation Approval
In 1865, Canada's Legislative Assembly Approved Confederation with votes 91 to 33: however, none of the Maritime Provinces liked the plan. -
London Conference
In December 1866, Macdonald took charge of the conference, and was widely applauded for his discussions. -
British North America Act
On March 8, 1867, The British North America Act (BNA) passed, which would be Canada's Constitution for over a century. -
Royal Assent
On March 29, 1867, Queen Victoira gave her Royal Assent for the Constitution. -
Dominion of Canada
On this date, it was announced that the Dominion of Canada would come into force on July 1, 1867. -
The First Prime Minister
On July 1, 1867, The Dominion of Canada went into existence and John Alexzander Macdonald was knighted and made the first prime minister of Canada.
