Canada (Dominion)

This article is about the specific polity Canada (Dominion) and therefore only includes events related to its territory and not to its possessions or colonies. If you are interested in the possession, this is the link to the article about the nation which includes all possessions as well as all the different incarnations of the nation.

If you are looking for the page with the statistics about this polity you can find it here:All Statistics

In 1867, with the union of three British North American colonies through Confederation, Canada was formed as a federal dominion of four provinces. Additional British Colonies in North America were added to Canada between 1867 and 1949, the year when Canada assumed the borders it has today. The Statute of Westminster 1931 made British dominions, including Canada, practically independent countries (the personal Union with the British Crown was the unique remaining tie).

Establishment

July 1867: In 1867, Canada was formed from the provinces of Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, and Nova Scotia. The British North America Act united these provinces into the Dominion of Canada, with John A. Macdonald becoming the first Prime Minister. Canada remained a self-governing colony within the British Empire.

Chronology

Interactive Chronologies with maps are available in the section Changes Navigation

1. Events

July 1870: The United Kingdom transferred most of its remaining land in North America to Canada, with the North-Western Territory and Rupert's Land becoming the North-West Territories.

July 1870: The Manitoba Act was passed in 1870, leading to the disbandment of the Métis Provisional government in the Red River Colony. This marked the transfer of the territory to Canada (Dominion) and the establishment of the province of Manitoba.

July 1871: The British colony of British Columbia joined Canada as the sixth province.

August 1871: Expansion of the Dominion of Canada with Treaty 1 of the so-called Numbered Treaties (or Post-Confederation Treaties). These were are a series of eleven treaties signed between the First Nations and the reigning monarch of Canada (Victoria, Edward VII or George V) from 1871 to 1921.

August 1871: Expansion of the Dominion of Canada with Treaty 2 of the so-called Numbered Treaties (or Post-Confederation Treaties). These were are a series of eleven treaties signed between the First Nations and the reigning monarch of Canada (Victoria, Edward VII or George V) from 1871 to 1921.

July 1873: The British colony of Prince Edward Island, led by Premier James Colledge Pope, joined Canada as the seventh province. This decision was made in 1873, following negotiations with Canadian Prime Minister John A. Macdonald.

October 1873: Expansion of the Dominion of Canada with Treaty 3 of the so-called Numbered Treaties (or Post-Confederation Treaties). These were are a series of eleven treaties signed between the First Nations and the reigning monarch of Canada (Victoria, Edward VII or George V) from 1871 to 1921.

September 1874: Expansion of the Dominion of Canada with Treaty 4 of the so-called Numbered Treaties (or Post-Confederation Treaties). These were are a series of eleven treaties signed between the First Nations and the reigning monarch of Canada (Victoria, Edward VII or George V) from 1871 to 1921.

September 1875: Expansion of the Dominion of Canada with Treaty 5 of the so-called Numbered Treaties (or Post-Confederation Treaties). These were are a series of eleven treaties signed between the First Nations and the reigning monarch of Canada (Victoria, Edward VII or George V) from 1871 to 1921.

September 1876: Expansion of the Dominion of Canada with Treaty 6 of the so-called Numbered Treaties (or Post-Confederation Treaties). These were are a series of eleven treaties signed between the First Nations and the reigning monarch of Canada (Victoria, Edward VII or George V) from 1871 to 1921.

September 1877: Expansion of the Dominion of Canada with Treaty 7 of the so-called Numbered Treaties (or Post-Confederation Treaties). These were are a series of eleven treaties signed between the First Nations and the reigning monarch of Canada (Victoria, Edward VII or George V) from 1871 to 1921.

September 1880: The United Kingdom transferred its Arctic Islands to Canada.

March 1889: Expansion of the Dominion of Canada with Treaty 6 (second part of adhesion) of the so-called Numbered Treaties (or Post-Confederation Treaties). These were are a series of eleven treaties signed between the First Nations and the reigning monarch of Canada (Victoria, Edward VII or George V) from 1871 to 1921.

January 1901: Expansion of the Dominion of Canada with Treaty 8 of the so-called Numbered Treaties (or Post-Confederation Treaties). These were are a series of eleven treaties signed between the First Nations and the reigning monarch of Canada (Victoria, Edward VII or George V) from 1871 to 1921.

October 1903: The Alaska boundary dispute between Canada and the United States was resolved in favour of the United States claim.

December 1931: The Statute of Westminster 1931 largely granted Canada independence from the United Kingdom.