Constructing+a+New+Nation


 * __ Confederation __**

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.

2. 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.

**__ The French Perspective __**

**3.** Francophone’s 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. 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.

**Opinions on the Confederation of Canada**

(Rep by pop) || - Hesitant because of their language and religion barriers - They would lose a little bit of power - Their biggest worry was the loss of distinctiveness || - The rejected the 72 resolutions - Could lose a lot (power distinctiveness) - Have to go with and agree with what Can. East and West want ||
 * ** Canada West ** ||  ** Canada East **  ||  ** Maritimes **  ||
 * - Most population

** What does each group look to gain or lose? **


 * ** Canada West ** ||  ** Canada East **  ||  ** Maritimes **  ||
 * - Power || - Lose power and distinctiveness || - They would gain a railway ||

** Describe the leaders of Confederation **

** (MacDonald) ** ||  ** Canada East ** ** (Brown) ** ||  ** Maritimes ** ** (Cartier) ** || - Promised a railway - American Annexation - The dominant figure of Canadian Confederation. - He is the only Canadian Prime Minister to win six majority governments. || - He wanted the end of the political stalemate - Played a prominent part in the Quebec Conference. - great journalist and a dominating personality - As a politician, his actions did not always square with his pretensions || - He was a French- Canadian states man and Father of Confederation. - He was dominant figure in the politics Canada East as leader of the Parti Bleu - He was exiled for his role in the anti-government rebellion. ||
 * ** Canada West **
 * - Wanted Maritimes to join them

**__ Confederation Achieved (#3 is actually #4 and so on) __** 1. 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. 2. Sir John A. Macdonald, George Brown and George Cartier

3. 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. Maritime delegates joined the French- Canadian delegates in resisting Macdonald's proposal for a legislative union with a strong centralized government.

4. 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.

5. 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. 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. They felt that the revolutions in America and France were too violent. In the legislature of the Canada's, French- Canadian proponents of Confederation argued that the proposed federal union provided adequate protection for Quebec's francophone society and culture.

6. Champagne, ways to negotiate, having their voices heard.

7. Representation by population, distinctiveness, controlled by British.

8. There were still many things that needed to be discussed and not everyone was against confederation. The delegates suggested things like rep by pop, division of power, peace and strong government to ratify the agreement.

9. Confederation stalled because they couldn’t agree and the Finian Raids. In other regions of British North America, there was not a great deal of support for Confederation.

10. At the London Conference, in December of 1866, delegates from Canada, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia agreed on terms to create a new nation.

**__ British North America Act __** 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. 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.

[|Parliment Breakdown]

**__ Federal Government: __**

• 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 • 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

The Head of State in Canada is the Monarchy - The Queen of Canada

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. 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. The Prime Minister and the Cabinet are all members of the House of Commons. Parties that do not control the government are known as Opposition Parties.

**__ Provincial Government __** Under the Constitution Act (1867), the provinces are responsible for the day-to-day management of waters within their boundaries. Provincial legislative powers include, but are not restricted to, areas of: Provincial governments are also responsible for The responsibilities of the Municipal Government include:
 * <span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tabstops: list .5in;">water levels and flows regulation;
 * <span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tabstops: list .5in;">authorization of water use development;
 * <span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tabstops: list .5in;">water supply;
 * <span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tabstops: list .5in;">pollution control;
 * <span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tabstops: list .5in;">natural hazards; and
 * <span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tabstops: list .5in;">Thermal and waterpower development.
 * <span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tabstops: list .5in;">providing safe drinking water;
 * <span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tabstops: list .5in;">overseeing municipal water and sewer infrastructure; and
 * <span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tabstops: list .5in;">Operating and maintaining major irrigation projects.
 * <span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tabstops: list .5in;">garbage
 * <span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tabstops: list .5in;">police
 * <span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tabstops: list .5in;">fire
 * <span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tabstops: list .5in;">licenses
 * <span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tabstops: list .5in;">recycling
 * <span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tabstops: list .5in;">libraries
 * <span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tabstops: list .5in;">snow clearance
 * <span style="font-family: Calibri; font-size: 10pt; line-height: normal; margin: 0in 0in 10pt; tabstops: list .5in;">other

Municipalities are responsible for the delivery of safe and reliable water supplies within their jurisdictions. They manage infrastructure related to water treatment and delivery. Municipal governments are also responsible for the protection of water sources under the Planning Act through control and coordination of land use activities on a watershed basis.

Conservation authorities work with municipalities to implement land-use planning on a watershed and sub-watersheds basis because watersheds cross municipal borders.

**__ 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.

** BIG QUESTION: **
 * Pros of Federal Government || Cons of Federal Government ||
 * <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">- Local governments understand local issues better, therefore can solve issues more efficiently, and usually with better results

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt;">- Federal government has a workload taken off them since responsibilities are given to provincial and municipal governments

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">- Equalization payments to make all provinces equal.

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">- Everyone follows the same rules

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">- Most of the needs that need to be met will be || <span style="color: black; font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">- Disputes may occur between the levels of government. For instance, which level of government is responsible for a certain job is unclear.

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">- Politicians are in it just for themselves they don’t care about the people

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">- Smaller provinces’ needs will not be met because the federal government will deal with the larger provinces’ problems.

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">- Those people who do not want a certain policy have to abide by it because of majority rules

<span style="color: black; font-family: 'Calibri','sans-serif'; font-size: 10pt; margin: 0in 0in 0pt 0.5in; text-indent: -0.25in;">- Choosing the lesser of the evils when it comes to the government ||