This photo taken at Québec City in 1864 shows government delegates at the second Canadian conference on the subject of Confederation — the uniting of the British North American colonies. The first meeting had been in Charlottetown, P.E.I. one month before. A third meeting was held in London, England in 1866. The final one was again in Charlottetown in 1867, where it was agreed that the Province of Canada (Québec and Ontario), New Brunswick and Nova Scotia would unite to form the Dominion of Canada. Prince Edward Island would join in 1873. Ever since Great Britain had acquired the Province de Canada from France through the Treaty of Paris in 1763, and particularly after the 13 American colonies’ War of Independence from their own motherland, Great Britain, there was always the possible threat that these colonies, now known as the United States of America would attempt the acquisition of Canada. First, there was an offer for Canada in the American Articles of Confederation of 1781 to 1789, to join the Union and become a fully sovereign state like the other 13 American colonies. The United States figured it would eliminate the biggest threat to their new independence — the presence of Great Britain on the North American continent. Offers were ultimately refused — in particular, by the French Canadian population. Later, Americans lost the War of 1812 with Canada, and although some American leaders casted their eyes northward ever so often, no other serious attempts for acquisition took place. Over a century, numerous treaties were signed between the USA and Canada regarding changes in the boundary, waterways management, maintenance, etc. The International Boundary Commission’s joint survey of the 49th parallel between 1872-76, the formation by Canada of a para-military force — the North West Mounted Police, and the opening of Western Canada for settlement following the signing of numerous treaties with the Aboriginal people, were confirmation statements by Canada: that this land was our land!
