1. Constructing a New Nation: Political Realities, Power, and Federalism.

2. Should We?
The debates surrounding a possible political union of the colonies reflected a number of political realities of the day.
The discussions and decisions that led to Confederation were the prerogative of a governing elite in each of the colonies.

3. English and French
The form of any political union was to be largely decided by the agendas of the English-speaking and French-speaking populations of Central Canada.
The size of the two linguistic communities dictated that their interests and agendas would shape the constitutional Framework of the new nation.

4. U.S. Influence
The U.S. Civil War convinced many in English-speaking Canada, including John A. Macdonald, that there was a danger in creating a political arrangement that gave the regional (state) governments more powers than those allocated to the central government.
It would be preferable to create a nation that had a strong, centralized government with paramount decision-making powers.

5. Federal Government
Canada West
Canada East
Maritimes

6. A Federal Government
Macdonald's first option was to have a legislative union in which there would be only a single central government.
Macdonald's vision of an "ideal" state, with a strong central government, was not shared by many francophone's, nor by many in the Maritimes.

7. The French Perspective
Francophones feared a political arrangement in which a growing English-speaking majority would control the national government.
Any political arrangement had to provide French Canada with control over those jurisdictions necessary to ensure the survival of French-Canadian culture, language and religion.
A federal system, with a national government and provincial governments, each level being delegated specific powers, seemed the only option acceptable to French Canada.

8. Cont…
Quebec's provincial government would have to possess sufficient powers to protect its francophone character and culture.
It was necessary therefore, that the provinces be given jurisdiction over education, civil and religious institutions.
At the national government level, Quebec would have sufficient representation and political power to ensure that future constitutional changes would not threaten the rights of French Canadians.

9. Quebec Conference: Framework for A New Nation

10. The First Meeting
In September of 1864, a Canadian delegation led by John A. Macdonald, George Cartier and George Brown, attended a Maritime-sponsored conference at Charlottetown.
The purpose of the conference was to discuss a possible union of the Maritime colonies.

11. The Quebec Conference 1864
This conference was the first time colonists were able to determine the constitutional Framework that would govern their lives.
Thirty-three delegates, representing all the colonies of British North America met to address the specifics of a new federation.
The delegates sought to secure the well-being of the populations and regions they represented in any new political union.
Martime delegates joined the French- Canadian delegates in resisting Macdonald's proposal for a legislative union with a strong centralized government.

12. Debate Arises
Macdonald realized that French Canada would not accept a legislative union with only one central government. The new nation would be a federal state.
There were considerable negotiations over the divisions of powers between the national government and the provincial governments.
The delegates at Quebec arrived at a consensus enunciated in the Seventy-two Resolutions.

13. The Quebec Resolutions
The Quebec Resolutions that articulated the constitutional Framework for the proposed new nation precipitated an intense debate in all the colonies.
The colonial leaders present at Quebec City did not have an electorial mandate to support a confederation of the colonies.

14. The Seventy Two Resolutions
Support for the Seventy-two Resolutions was largely limited to Canada West where supporters argued that Central Canada would be the major economic benefactor in the proposed political union.
The completion of the Intercolonial railway would open the Maritime markets to the products of Central Canada.
The acquisition and European settlement of Ruperts' Land could also stimulate both manufacturing and mercantile activity in Quebec and Ontario.

15. Not Everyone Liked It
In other regions of British North America, there was not a great deal of support for Confederation.
In the legislature of the Canadas, French- Canadian proponents of Confederation argued that the proposed federal union provided adequate protection for Quebec's francophone society and culture.

16. The Maritime Colonies
There was significant opposition to Confederation in the Maritime colonies.
Each of the Maritime colonies initially rejected the Seventy-two Resolutions and the notion of Confederation. New Brunswick, the only colony to vote on the proposal, rejected it in March of 1865.
In September of 1865, Macdonald promoted the cause of Confederation by promising the construction of the Intercolonial Railway if the colonies agreed on the Act of Union.

17. External forces
External forces influenced public opinion within British North America and promoted the proposal for a political union of British North America. The U.S. Civil War and End of Reciprocity
The U.S. Civil War was a period of crisis in Anglo-American relations.
British North America became involved/intertwined in the international politics of that crisis in relations.

18. U.S. Civil War
In early 1865, the U.S. government gave notice that it planned to end the Reciprocity Treaty with British North America,
terminate the Rush-Bagot Treaty, and force British North Americas to have passports when entering the U.S.
The ending of reciprocity generated support among British North Americans for a political union of the colonies.

19. Britain: A Colonial Reappraisal
The British Government felt that a political union of the colonies and the formation of a new nation, within the British Empire, offered a number of advantages.
A unified nation would be better able to finance and co-ordinate the defence of the region, thereby reducing the danger of American annexation.
At the London Conference, in December of 1866, delegates from Canada, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia agreed on terms to create a new nation.
Queen Victoria signed the British North America Act into law on March 29, 1867 and on July 1, 1867 Canada became a nation.

20. Foundational Principles of Canadian Parliamentary Democracy

21. Now What
Confederation created the institutions and processes necessary to create a democratic society. The new nation's decision-making processes were based on a number of principles and institutions

22. Canadian Government It was a representative democracy.
Citizens would elect representatives to the legislatures. The representatives would perform a number of tasks, including legislating on the citizens' behalf, and providing parliamentary support for, or opposition to, the government.
Governments could only remain in office for as long as they enjoyed majority support in the legislatures.
Government was responsible. The government had to seek a renewed mandate from the electorate periodically.

23. Cont… Parliament was composed of two Houses.
The House of Commons was the elected House. Its members were elected on the basis of representation by population.
The Commons was led by an executive responsible to that body.
The Senate was created in part to respond to the concerns of the smaller provinces, and the concerns about the "dangers" of mob rule.
Senate representation was equal, not proportional. Each region was promised the same number of senators regardless of population.

24. Cont…
The Parliament of the day would be the supreme political decision-making body.
No Parliament could be bound by the decisions of previous Parliaments, nor could it bind the decisions of future Parliaments.
A constitution defined the limits of government responsibilities and powers.
An independent judiciary provided recourse for citizens in dealings with government.

25. The Basic Breakdown There are three branches of government Executive
Legislative
Judicial

26. The Basic Breakdown Cont…
There are also three levels of government
Federal
Provincial
Municipal

27. What they do?
The Federal Government has the power to “make laws for the peace order and good government of Canada”
Except in areas specifically assigned to the Provinces
These include
Hospitals and Health
Education
Prisons
Direct taxation for Provincial Spending

28. A Cast of Hundreds
The Federal Government is made up of many people and groups:
Cabinet
House of Commons
Senate
Prime Minister
Governor-General
Leader of the Opposition
Party Leaders
Members of Parliament

29. The Federal Government
The Head of State in Canada is the Monarchy - The Queen of Canada
Also Queen of Great Britain, Australia, New Zealand, etc.
When the Monarch is not in
Canada her representative is the
Governor-General
The Federal government rules
in the name of the Queen
but the real power lies with the people

30. The Federal Government
The most recognized member of the federal government is the Prime Minister
After an election the leader of the party with a majority of support in the House of Commons is asked by the Governor-General, in the name of the Queen, to form a government

31. The Federal Government
The Prime Minister then chooses the Cabinet
Cabinet Ministers are approved by the Governor-General on the advice of the Prime Minister
Cabinet Ministers are often but not always from the majority party
Cabinet Ministers are responsible for certain portfolios
Finance, Defense, etc.

32. The Federal Government
The Prime Minister and the Cabinet are all members of the House of Commons
This is the Lower House of the Federal Legislature
Parties that do not control the government are known as Opposition Parties
The leader of the largest non-governing party is the Leader of the Official Opposition

33. The Federal Government
All of the people who win a seat in the House of Commons are known as Members of Parliament (MP)
Under this system one person can fill several roles
The Prime Minister is also a Party Leader and a Member of Parliament
The House of Commons represents the will of the electorate

34. The Federal Government
The legislature of Canada is bicameral
The upper house is the Senate
The Senate represents the different regions of Canada
Senators are appointed for life by the Governor-General, on the advice of the Prime Minister
Any Bill passed by the House of Commons then has to be approved by the Senate

35. Democracy ?
Not all the citizens of the new nation had equal and meaningful access to political decision-making processes.
Women were not permitted to vote. First Nations persons were also deprived of the right to participate in national decision making.
In the first federal election, in November 1867, only a limited number of Canadians - males who owned property - could vote.

36. Exit Question
In your opinion was John A. MacDonald right? Is a federal government beneficial to Canadians? How can a federal government be a detriment to Canadians?