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British Columbia Considers Confederation Horizons Ch. 6

Horizons Ch. 6. The united colony of British Columbia was far from strong and had a weak economy: End of the gold rush Decline of the fur trade Population

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Page 1: Horizons Ch. 6. The united colony of British Columbia was far from strong and had a weak economy: End of the gold rush Decline of the fur trade Population

British Columbia Considers Confederation

Horizons Ch. 6

Page 2: Horizons Ch. 6. The united colony of British Columbia was far from strong and had a weak economy: End of the gold rush Decline of the fur trade Population

The united colony of British Columbia was far from strong and had a weak economy:End of the gold rushDecline of the fur trade

Population of 40,000 – 30,000 were Aboriginal and only a few well established communities with small populations. Rest of pop = scattered through BCVictoria – 4000Nanaimo – 700 – coal mining areaNew Westminster - 1000

Page 3: Horizons Ch. 6. The united colony of British Columbia was far from strong and had a weak economy: End of the gold rush Decline of the fur trade Population

3 Groups emerged about Confederation:1) a small group of people, mostly HBC,

favoured remaining a Crown Colony with a Governor and a representative government

2) another group thought they should join the US Many business people were encouraged by

Americans who wanted to “annex” BC3) another group promoted the idea of “union”

with the Dominion of Canada Amor de Cosmos used his newspaper “The British

Colonist” to promote union GB govt. favoured BC joining Confederation The Governor was encouraged to support this idea

Page 4: Horizons Ch. 6. The united colony of British Columbia was far from strong and had a weak economy: End of the gold rush Decline of the fur trade Population

May 10, 1870 – 3 delegates left Victoria for Ottawa to negotiate BC’s entry into Confederation

BC would join, but they wanted…Responsible governmentFederal govt. would take over their debt ($1

million!)A wagon road across Prairies and through

mountainsThey were offered even better terms!

Offered a railwayBC would have its debt paid AND receive a

subsidy of $35,000 + yearly capital grant until population grew to 400,000

** July 20, 1871 – BC entered Confederation

Page 5: Horizons Ch. 6. The united colony of British Columbia was far from strong and had a weak economy: End of the gold rush Decline of the fur trade Population

PEI Joins Confederation:PEI had turned down Confederation in 1867

but now Islanders were having second thoughts

By 1873, PEI was in debt trying to build a RR and joining Canada seemed like a good idea

July 1, 1873 – PEI joined Confederation:Canada provided $800,000 to buy back Island

land from absentee landlords in GBCanada took over their debtsCanada promised year round ferry service to

mainlandCanada promised telegraph service