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The Mother of Confederation

7/29/2019

 
Recently a preposterous letter was printed in the editorial 
section of the local newspaper. The author stated that the 
reason you don't hear about Canada's 'founding mothers' is 
because there were none. He challenged his readers to name 
one. Challenge accepted. I will provide a short biography of 
one of them. But there are in fact a good number of women
who played a role in bringing about a united Canada. Their
stories can be found here. 
Picture
Queen Victoria: 
Mother of Confederation

While those who paid attention in
history class might know that
Queen Victoria chose the location
of Canada's capital, there are few
who know how extensive her role
really was.

As the details of Confederation were slowly hammered out it
soon became time for the delegates to head to London for the
final push to bring about the new union. Once there Queen
Victoria worked to shore up support for Confederation. She is
recorded to have told the Nova Scotian delegation that, “I take
the deepest interest in it, for I believe it will make the
provinces great and prosperous.
” Extra attention needed to
be paid to the Nova Scotian delegates as anti-union sentiment
was already growing in the colony. In a private audience with
John A. Macdonald (the head of the conference) she thanked
him for his efforts and once again outlined how important it
was to bring about an agreement; “I am very glad to see you
on this mission. It is a very important measure and you have
all exhibited so much loyalty.
”

Queen Victoria was asked to choose the capital of the new
dominion. This was a wise decision. The colonies each had
their own capitals and growing commercial centres, such as
Montreal and Toronto, coveted the prestige of such a
designation (along with the likely increase in funding). By
leaving the decision up to a respected neutral arbiter the
conference delegates side-stepped a potential landmine that
might have brought the conference to a halt. The Queen
likewise recognized in her decision a potentially imminent
threat (invasion by the Americans) and a hypothetical future
threat (national unity). The new capital was to be far from the
border with the United States, in a small logging town,
directly between the two most populous provinces. It was a
decision that favoured no one in particular and gave the new
​dominion the best shot at success. 

And indeed, Queen Victoria's status as a uniting figure should
not be underestimated. Before the Charlottetown Conference
few of the delegates from central Canada had even been to
the Maritime colonies and vise versa. There was a level of
distrust and difference in cultures that had to be overcome.
Perhaps this is why that one of the first things agreed upon
was that the new union would continue to be a monarchy.
This sentiment would be again reaffirmed during John A.
Macdonald's audience with the Queen where it is recorded he
declared,"We have desired in this measure to declare in the
most solemn and emphatic manner our resolve to be under
the sovereignty of Your Majesty and your family forever.
" 

Queen Victoria would also hold court with the wives and
daughters of the delegates. While at first glance this would
seem to be a rather unimportant event in the journey to
Confederation, I would have to disagree. Both the wives and
daughters were courted at each stage of negotiations to try
and sway delegate opinion. Some of the wives are known to
have influenced their husbands' opinions. Their diaries are
some of the only sources we have on what happened at these
conferences (especially the early ones) which clearly indicates
they were aware of how proceeding were going. By holding
court with them Queen Victoria could both subtly influence
opinion and ascertain how negotiations were going.

​In the end the British North American Act was given royal
assent by the Queen in 1867. She might not have known it but
her father had become equally enthusiastic about the idea of
uniting the colonies many years earlier after he spent time
living in Canada. Queen Victoria became known in her own
lifetime as the Mother of Confederation. It is a title that is
completely deserved.

Loyally Yours,
A Kisaragi Colour

Happy Mesopelagia Day!: The History of Canada's Name & Day

7/1/2014

 
PicturePostcard, 1905
Happy Canada Day! Today I thought I'd take a look back at how Canada Day evolved into the celebration we know today. Of course, to do that we need to start with the origin of Canada's name.

The term Canada is derived from the St. Lawrence Iroquoian word 'kanata' meaning village. French explorer Jacques Cartier erroneously applied it to the entire region and the Rivière de Canada (the Saint Lawrence River). Of the many, many misunderstandings that would result between Europeans and the various tribes of North American this probably counts as the most benign.

Picture
If you remember Historica Minutes on TV you had a good childhood.
Under French rule 'Canada' refered to the colony along the Saint Lawrence River. Due to being the most developed of the French colonies the terms 'New France' and 'Canada' were often used interchangeably. With the British conquest of New France in 1763 the colony was renamed 'The Province of Quebec' after the colony's largest settlement.

After the arrival of the Loyalists it became expedient to divide the colony in 1791. Since Canada was still the name of the region the two new colonies were called Upper and Lower Canada.

When Confederation was being negotiated it was proposed by a delegate from either Nova Scotia or New Brunswick that the new union be called Canada. That said here are some alternative names that were proposed (many of which prove that in every age there are people who shouldn't be allowed to name things):

Anglia, Albionoria, Borealia, Cabotia, Colonia, Efisga, Hochelaga, Laurentia, Mesopelagia, New Albion, Norland, Superior, Tuponia, Transatlantica, Ursalia, Vesperia, Victorialand
PictureSir Samuel Leonard Tilley
With one part of the name agreed upon the delegates tried to decide on the long-form of the name. Sir John A. Macdonald favoured calling the new entity a kingdom but British officials were wary of frightening/annoying/bugging the United States. It is a popular story that New Brunswick premier Sir Samuel Leonard Tilley came up with the alternate suggestion of 'dominion' after reading his morning devotions, Psalm 72:8, which states "He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth". 

This story has been questioned as the term dominion had been applied to other entities beforehand and is not innovative. Personally I feel this is an irrelevant point; conservatism done right is about looking to the past for inspiration regarding the present.

Whatever the origin the Fathers of Confederation broadened the term from being 'a major colonial possession' to being a synonym for a sovereign state. Secretary of State for the Colonies Lord Carnarvon stated in a letter to Queen Victoria: "The North American delegates are anxious that the United Provinces should be designated as the 'Dominion of Canada.' It is a new title, but intended on their part as a tribute to the Monarchical principle which they earnestly desire to uphold."

July 1st was celebrated unofficially in 1867 with the ringing of the bells at the Cathedral Church of St. James in Toronto and "bonfires, fireworks and illuminations, excursions, military displays and musical and other entertainments". On June 20th of the following year Governor General the Viscount Monck issued a royal proclamation asking for Canadians to celebrate the anniversary of Confederation. It would not be until 1879 that the holiday became official under the name 'Dominion Day'. The celebration of Confederation ranked low in both the official and popular calendar of holidays for a number of years. It was not until 1958 that the government started being involved in the celebrations on a yearly basis. Before this the Governor General would hold a small party at Rideau Hall and milestone years would be celebrated officially but other than that it was up to local communities to host their own celebrations.   

The holiday was officially renamed to 'Canada Day' in 1982 due to a somewhat embarrassing episode where there were only 12 MPs in Parliament when the voting started.

So have a happy Canada Day (or Dominion Day for the more traditionally-minded). Canada is today a spry 147 years young.

Loyally Yours,
A Kisaragi Colour
Picture
The Red Ensign
Picture
The Maple Leaf

This Week in Monarchy: June 15-21st

6/22/2014

 

June 15th

His Excellency the Governor General arrived in PEI for a four day visit to celebrate the 150th anniversary of the Charlottetown Conference. The list of events is quite extensive so I will not detail them here but feel free to check out the itinerary on the Governor General's website.

I will mention the morning church service followed by parade to Province House along the same route the Fathers of Confederation walked all those years ago. The Governor General was joined by the the Honourable Frank Lewis, Lieutenant Governor of Prince Edward Island; the Honourable Robert Ghiz, Premier of Prince Edward Island; His Worship Clifford Lee, Mayor of Charlottetown; and His Worship Régis Labeaume, Mayor of the City of Quebec.

June 17th

The Annual Meeting of the Governor General, Lieutenant Governors and Territorial Commissioners got under way. "This meeting is an opportunity for members to discuss matters of mutual interests and how they can better serve Canadians from coast to coast to coast" (From the Governor General's website). This perhaps helps demonstrate why we benefit from having a non-partisan executive; The Federal and Provincial Governments have not met in years due to the likelihood of contentious political fights. The group also met on June 18th.

June 18th

Spain officially has a new king. Prince Felipe succeeded his father, King Juan Carlos, after the later announced his abdication. King Juan Carlos is famous for restoring Spanish democracy after the death of the dictator Franco.

The Honourable J.J. Grant, Lieutenant Governor of Nova Scotia, hosted the annual garden party at Government House. Due rain it was moved indoors but otherwise went ahead as planned.

Meanwhile on the West Coast Her Honour Judith Guichon, Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, announced the winners of the 2014 Lieutenant Governor's Awards for Excellence in British Columbia Wines. There were twelve winning wines in all. The award has a 12-year history with 436 wines submitted from 119 wineries across the province this year.

June 19th

On Thursday His Honour David C. Onley, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, launched 'Lest We Forget', an art exhibition To commemorate the centenary of the First World War. Works by contemporary artist Charles Pachter are featured.

June 20th

The Governor General bestowed 3 Commanders, 13 Officers and 34 Members of the Canadian Armed Forces with the Order of Military Merit. The Order of Military Merit recognizes meritorious service and devotion to duty. The ceremony took place at Rideau Hall.

In the evening His Excellency presented The Duke of Edinburgh’s Gold Award to more than 100 deserving young people from different parts of Canada. The awards ceremony took place at St. Clement’s School in Toronto. Text of the Governor General's remarks can be found here.

June 21st

The Duke of Cambridge celebrated his 32nd birthday. Prince William is second in line to the Throne of Canada.

Their Excellencies the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, and Mrs. Sharon Johnston attended the 4th Annual International Competition Pow Wow during the Summer Solstice Aboriginal Arts Festival. The Governor General gave a brief statement to mark the occasion.

Their Excellencies the Right Honourable David Johnston, Governor General of Canada, and Mrs. Sharon Johnston finishing off a very busy week by hosting the Annual Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario (CHEO) Teddy Bears’ Picnic on the grounds of Rideau Hall. The CHEO Foundation mission is to raise funds to help support the work of the Children’s Hospital of Eastern Ontario. The hospital provides a wide range of services including; pediatric programs, research, medical and nursing education, and assistance for families in crisis.

Loyally Yours,
A Kisaragi Colour

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