Remembering: Canadian Independence

Throughout much of the 1800s Canadian dependence on Britain shrunk, and autonomy seemed more an eventuality.

Then in the 1860's, with much of the world focused on the civil war happening to the south, calls for secession from the empire began.

In 1864 the Maritime provinces held a conference to discuss forming their own country. Delegates from Ontario and Quebec came as well.

Later in the year, a second conference was held in Quebec, with talks increasingly focusing on how to have a peaceful secession from Britain.

The conferences resulted in a delegation being sent to London in 1866, to discuss things with the British government.

On July 1, 1867, through the British North America Act, Britain established the Dominion of Canada, a self governing country that was still part of the empire.