On July 1st, 1867, New Brunswick became one of the four founding provinces of Canada.
But how did this small Maritime province join Confederation?
Let’s explore the history behind how New Brunswick came to be part of Canada.
The Origins of Confederation
The idea for a unified nation known as Canada began in 1864 when representatives from the Province of Canada (now Ontario and Quebec), Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick met in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island to discuss forming a union.
This meeting was called the Charlottetown Conference and it would set in motion a series of events that led to Confederation.
The delegates at the Charlottetown Conference agreed to meet again in Quebec City later that year to further discuss their plans for union.
At this meeting, now known as the Québec Conference, it was decided that a federation made up of four provinces would be formed. These provinces were Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick.
The 72 delegates also created the British North America Act which outlined how these four provinces would work together as a single country.
The Forming of Canada
Though all four provinces agreed to join together as one nation on July 1st, 1867, each province had its own individual reasons for joining Confederation.
For example, Ontario wanted access to an intercolonial railway while Nova Scotia wanted protection from American expansionism.
As for New Brunswick’s motivations? It is believed that the province joined Confederation so it could benefit from free trade with other Canadian provinces and territories and enjoy increased economic stability due to its newfound political partnership with other parts of what is now known as Canada.
New Brunswick Joining the Confederation
New Brunswick officially became part of Canada on July 1st, 1867 when all four founding provinces signed the British North America Act into law.
Though each province had different motivations for joining Confederation—from economic stability to protection from American expansionism—the result was still the same: they formed an alliance that would eventually become our beloved nation-state today!
From coast-to-coast-to-coast we are proud Canadians in large part thanks to New Brunswick’s decision to join Confederation back in 1867!
