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Abolition of Slavery
In 1833, British North America abolished slavery in all British colonies effective 1 August 1834. 800,000 slaves were technically freed from slavery, but only 50 slaves were actually under the regulations of slavery at the time. Nevertheless, this act proved monumental in the later exodus of 30 to 40 thousand people into Canada. -
Act of Union
In 1841, Upper and Lower Canada was conjoined into one large colony named the Province of Canada, under the justification that it would help reinstate peace between the two colonies and that it would help remedy the debt that Canada was suffering from at the time. -
1853 Mi'kmaq Petition
In 1853, Mi'kmaq Chief Noel Briot petitioned to stop the sale of a piece of Mi'kmaq land; he believed it would cause extreme poverty for his people and thus should we stopped. However, the British government refused his plea under the reason that the first people "are not well adapted to become valuable settlers." -
Reciprocity Treaty
In 1854, the British and Americans declared free trade between both parties on agricultural products as well as natural resources; under free trade, the two countries could trade without taxes. In 1866, the treaty expired, thus influencing the increase in trade between the British colonies. -
Smallpox epidemic of 1862
In 1862, a cruise liner brought a case of smallpox to Vancouver Island; over the next 18 months, nearly 32,000 people died, or 64% of the entire population. Those people were composed of almost entirely First Nations people; meanwhile, the authorities attempted to provide relief to those affected through vaccination. -
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Charlottetown conference
In the September of 1864, the Maritime provinces met with representatives of the Province of Canada; those being John A. Macdonald accompanied by other pro-confederation leaders. Newfoundland was not represented at this conference and as a result did not voice their concerns here. The goal of the conference was to convince the Maritime provinces about the integrity of confederation. The conference ended up influencing the consideration of confederation by the Maritime provinces attending. -
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Quebec Conference
In the October of 1864, the Maritime provinces met up once again to discuss confederation. The same people who attended the first meeting also attend the second one; meanwhile, Newfoundland sent observers, but did not directly participate in the meeting. The meeting was used to lay out all of the interests/resolutions of the colonies; the final result of the conference ended up only securing New Brunswick and Nova Scotia in the agreement. -
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London conference
The last conference before confederation, the London conference took place in England, concluding the status of all participating colonies as colonies at all, rather being considered as a united and partially self-governing country by the British Parliament. The reason conferences did not take place with British Columbia is because B.C had agreed beforehand on confederation due to worries about American expansion as well as the massive amounts of debt British Columbia was faced with. -
Dominion of Canada
On July 1, 1867, Canada was officially and formally formed. On this day, Queen Victoria proclaimed that the Province of Canada, New Brunswick as well as Nova Scotia were all officially united in the Dominion of Canada; John A. Macdonald was appointed as Prime Minister and was knighted for his efforts in the dominion of Canada; he was then voted into the position a month later. -
Construction of Dawson Road
Note: Date is unknown; only year is correct. This date commemorates the beginning of construction for the dawson road. -
YWCA opening
In 1870, the Young Women's Christian Association was opened in response to more and more single young women. -
Mandatorization of school attendance
In 1871, it became mandatory for children to attend elementary school for at least a few months a year. -
Trade union act
In 1872, Canada legalized trade unions in Canada. -
Founding of Northwest Mounted Police
The Northwest Mounted Police were formed on this date to maintain law and order in the area. -
1874 Canada Election
On this date, Alexander Mackenzie successfully and decisively defeated Sir John A. Macdonald after it was noted that he accepted a bribe and thus committed a corruption offence. -
1876 Indian Act
In 1876, a series of regulations regarding first nations became effective; this act applied to all first nations in Canada. Exact date unknown. -
1878 Election
In this election, Sir John A. Macdonald successfully won the election and defeated Alexander Mackenzie after losing to him because of a scandal. -
Canadian Pacific Railway
The CPR company started construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1881 and finished in 1885. -
Head tax
In 1885, Canada introduce head tax, the amount an immigrant would have to pay in order to enter the country (specifically Chinese) -
Creation of children's charter
In 1893, the Ontario government passed an act called the children's charter that protected children in numerous ways. -
Founding of Women's Institute
In 1897, the first Women's Institute was opened to help educate women domestically (healthy practices, etc.) -
The Magog strike
On July 27, 1900, 400 skilled workers attempted to negotiate with their employer by going on strike, but failed, becoming representative of the situation all around Canada for unskilled workers. -
Founding of the Colored women's club of Montreal
In 1902, wives of black porters formed the CWCM as a counterpart to the mainly white-dominated women's organizations. -
1904 fire
In 1904, a fire burned down more than 100 buildings and threw away the jobs of over 5000 workers in Toronto; this incident spread concerns about safety. -
Creation of Ontario Hydro
In 1906, the Hydro-Electric Power Commission of Ontario was established. -
Immigration act
In 1906, Canada passed the immigration act which gave the government more control over immigration; it was revised in 1910 which gave the government yet more power.