BRITISH COLUMBIA CONFEDERATION: FROM COLONY TO PROVINCE
Take a look at the Confederation Diary
Confederation was one of the most important historical events that determined the shape and design of what we now call Canada. Though the First Nation's have occupied all of North America for thousands of years, explorers from Britain, France, Spain, Russia, eager to establish trade and commerce began moving across the rugged landscape and establishing trade posts, colonies and territory. In 1841, Canada consisted of the union of Lower Canada and Upper Canada in the east. The political union of British North America began as a romanticised ideal in the 1860's, occupying the conversation of many dinner parties. But by 1864, it became a serious question. The Atlantic provinces were the first to make confederation a reality. On July 1, 1867, (celebrated now as Canada Day), the Dominion of Canada formed by joining the British North American colonies of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia with Canada.
The process of Confederation was not without argument. Rivalries between political parties, and the territories surfaced. Western Canada (Ontario) wished to separate from Eastern Canada (Quebec). This was because each side had different ideas about Canada's constitution, cultural representation, and democracy. On August 29, 1864, the Charlottetown Conference was held with Canadian representatives (Western Canada lead by Sir John A. Macdonald). This was to set the concept of Confederation, into action. By 1866, it became evident that talks between "Canada" and the Atlantic Colonies were leading to Confederation. A British Columbia politician and editorialist Amor de Cosmos began promoting a North American union, and a union of the Vancouver Island and Mainland colonies (later to merge into the united colony of British Columbia in November 1866).
Even though De Cosmos was a bitter rival of Governor Douglas, Dr. Helmcken supported Cosmos' who was lobbying to the BC Legislative council. Cosmos requested that the colonial secretary ensure any imperial acts (that would provide for the Confederation of the east coast colonies of Canada). Cosmos requested that these acts would also allow British Columbia to eventually join in Confederation . Unfortunately Governor Seymour was against Confederation, so he stalled the attempts of Cosmos and Helmcken to participate in the Confederation negotiation back east. De Cosmos went east to talk with the Canadians, but he felt he was getting nowhere going through the official channels. Instead, he turned to the people of British Columbia to gain the support for BC becoming a part of Canada. A committee was formed in Victoria, and a message was sent to Governor General Monck in Ottawa. This message demanded that British Columbia be allowed to enter into the Dominion of Canada immediately, under the condition that a transcontinental wagon road from the head of Lake Superior to the Pacific be completed within two years of BC joining.
There was mixed reaction to the committee. One hundred and sixty four Canadians signed a petition that said they didn't want to enter into the Confederation, and Dr. Helmcken agreed. Dr. Helmcken was re-elected to the Legislative Council because of his feelings against confederation.
The divided opinion of British Columbians did not hamper the momentum of confederation for long. John Robson, leader of the political party "The Mainland Reformists", accepted the pro-confederates idea, and in 1868, supported a motion in the Legislative Council asking for entry into Canada. Now, in a section under the British North American Act, the colonies of Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island, and British Columbia could be included into Canada. But the members of the council defeated this motion, so De Cosmos and his supporters formed the Confederation League in May 1868. This was the first body to be a political party in British Columbia.
Meanwhile, the territory of the Dominion of Canada was growing. On July 15, 1870 Manitoba and the North - West Territories joined the country. But BC was still divided on the issue. Despite a large conference held at Yale, BC, supporting Confederation, it was still outvoted in the Legislative Council. Finally in April 1870, with a change in membership, the Legislative Council voted to accept confederation. It was decided that a team of delegates be sent to Ottawa to negotiate British Columbia's entry into the Dominion. Dr. Helmcken, Dr. Carrall and Joseph Trutch were chosen to be the delegate party, assigned with the task of travelling to Ottawa to negotiate the terms of British Columbia's entry into Confederation.
The delegates were well received when they got to Ottawa, and were offered a better deal than they expected. Instead of a wagon road, British Columbia was promised a railway crossing from the Prairies to British Columbia. This was to be started in two years, and be completed in ten. The terms of the agreement were finalised on August 30 1870. A new Legislative Council, one representing the new Province of BC, agreed to the terms in January 1871. On July 20, 1871, British Columbia was now the western most part of a Canada , a country that stretched from the Atlantic to the Pacific. Other colonies were quick to follow; Prince Edward Island on July 1, 1873, and finally Newfoundland joined on March 31, 1949. On January 1, 1977, the Canadian governemnt extended Canada's boundariesto claim more of the Arcitic ocean and all the waters within 370 km (200 nautical miles) of the shoreline.
HELMCKEN ON BC CONFEDERATION
"The Union of the Provinces on the other side of the mountains was about taking place and De Cosmos wanted B. Columbia put in. No one knew much of this subject save De Cosmos and Robson and so the debate was not very lively.
In the end a resolution was agreed to - amendment proposed by Pemberton - that a place should be left in the articles of Confederation allowing B. Columbia to enter, when and if she found it convenient.
I voted for this and so did most Members - and the main reason for the vote was - the poverty of B.Columbia - poverty which had produced the Union of V.Island and BC was a special reason for joining the confederacy.
Times were bad - the expense of government deemed almost unbearable - the public debt running up - and no apparent means of paying it!
A sort of reign of pessimism existed generally, and those who had argued so well heretofore of the grand and glorious future of B. Columbia were in the dumps. Confederation was looked on as a sort of betterment - it was urged that the Canadian Government would pay all the expense of the Government of British Columbia - pay the debts likewise - in fact do everything for B. Columbia and give her a bonus into the bargain.
Our action however was not altogether endorsed by Victoria - rather the contrary, and I was accused of being hasty and such indeed was the case - but the best possible was done - time given for Confederation - consideration . . .
At length the Session ended (on 2 April 1867). The Governor closed the Council with a speech - and of course said the resolutions of the Council would be placed before Her Majesty's Government and also the desire of the Council would be placed before Her Majesty's Government should be removed to Victoria . . . Possibly and probably we had not been very learned or very intellilgent or intellectual politicians, but I feel we made the best of the circumstances and conditions surrounding us.
John Helmcken (BCARS ADD.MSS. 50 5, V12)
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