Who were the Fathers of Confederation?

They were the men who represented Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and the Province of Canada. From 1864 to 1867 they worked together, with British support, to create a new country.

What happened in 1867 in Canada?

The British Parliament passed the British North America Act, and the Dominion of Canada officially began on July 1, 1867.

What were the first four provinces of Canada?

Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. Ontario and Quebec were made from the old Province of Canada.

What is the British North America Act?

It is a law the British Parliament passed in 1867, the year the Dominion of Canada was born. It set out the responsibilities of the federal and provincial governments, and it is now known as the Constitution Act, 1867.

Who was the first prime minister of Canada?

Sir John A. Macdonald. He was one of the Fathers of Confederation, and he became Canada’s first Prime Minister in 1867.

Why was Canada Day once called Dominion Day?

Until 1982, July 1 was called Dominion Day. It marked the day in 1867 when Canada became a self-governing Dominion. Today it is officially Canada Day.

Fathers of Confederation and Confederation 1867 Explained

Who the Fathers of Confederation were

Between 1864 and 1867, with British support, people representing Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and the Province of Canada worked together to build a new country. The guide calls these men the Fathers of Confederation.Discover Canada, Canada's History › Confederation, p. 18 (opens the official guide on canada.ca)

They set up two levels of government: federal and provincial.

The Province of Canada had been formed in 1840, when Upper and Lower Canada were joined together.Discover Canada, Canada's History › Responsible Government, p. 18 (opens the official guide on canada.ca)

The first four provinces

At Confederation, the old Province of Canada was divided into two new provinces, Ontario and Quebec. Together with Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, they made up the new country, called the Dominion of Canada.Discover Canada, Canada's History › Confederation, p. 18 (opens the official guide on canada.ca)

Each province would elect its own legislature. The provinces would control areas such as education and health.

The British North America Act and July 1, 1867

In 1867, the British Parliament passed the British North America Act. The Dominion of Canada officially began on July 1, 1867.Discover Canada, Canada's History › Confederation, p. 18 (opens the official guide on canada.ca)

This Act set out the responsibilities of the federal and provincial governments. Today it is called the Constitution Act, 1867.Discover Canada, How Canadians Govern Themselves › Federal State, p. 28 (opens the official guide on canada.ca)

Until 1982, Canadians called July 1 “Dominion Day,” to mark the day Canada became a self-governing Dominion. Its official name today is Canada Day.Discover Canada, Canada's History › Confederation, p. 18 (opens the official guide on canada.ca)

Some Fathers of Confederation to know

Sir John A. Macdonald: a Father of Confederation who became Canada’s first Prime Minister in 1867. He was born in Scotland, came to Upper Canada as a child, and worked as a lawyer in Kingston, Ontario.Discover Canada, Canada's History › Confederation, p. 18 (opens the official guide on canada.ca)
Sir George-Étienne Cartier: the key architect of Confederation from Quebec. He led Quebec into Confederation. He also helped negotiate for the Northwest Territories, Manitoba and British Columbia to enter Canada.Discover Canada, Canada's History › Confederation, p. 18 (opens the official guide on canada.ca)
Sir Leonard Tilley: a Father of Confederation from New Brunswick. In 1864 he suggested the name “Dominion of Canada,” inspired by Psalm 72 in the Bible.
Sir Étienne-Paschal Taché: a reformer who later became a Father of Confederation.Discover Canada, Canada's History › Rebellions of 1837–38, p. 18 (opens the official guide on canada.ca)

How Canada grew after 1867

Discover Canada lists how the Dominion grew after 1867:Discover Canada, Canada's History › Confederation, p. 18 (opens the official guide on canada.ca)

1870: Manitoba and the Northwest TerritoriesDiscover Canada, Canada's History › Confederation, p. 18 (opens the official guide on canada.ca)
1871: British Columbia
1873: Prince Edward Island
1898: Yukon Territory
1905: Alberta and Saskatchewan
1949: Newfoundland and Labrador
1999: Nunavut

Study this for the citizenship test

Confederation is covered in the history chapter of Discover Canada, the official study guide for the test. To review it, read our study notes for Canada’s history at /discover-canada/canadas-history, then try the free chapter quiz at /chapters/canadas-history.

Common questions

Who were the Fathers of Confederation?: They were the men who represented Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and the Province of Canada. From 1864 to 1867 they worked together, with British support, to create a new country.Discover Canada, Canada's History › Confederation, p. 18 (opens the official guide on canada.ca)
What happened in 1867 in Canada?: The British Parliament passed the British North America Act, and the Dominion of Canada officially began on July 1, 1867.Discover Canada, Canada's History › Confederation, p. 18 (opens the official guide on canada.ca)
What were the first four provinces of Canada?: Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. Ontario and Quebec were made from the old Province of Canada.Discover Canada, Canada's History › Confederation, p. 18 (opens the official guide on canada.ca)
What is the British North America Act?: It is a law the British Parliament passed in 1867, the year the Dominion of Canada was born. It set out the responsibilities of the federal and provincial governments, and it is now known as the Constitution Act, 1867.Discover Canada, Canada's History › Confederation, p. 18 (opens the official guide on canada.ca)Discover Canada, How Canadians Govern Themselves › Federal State, p. 28 (opens the official guide on canada.ca)
Who was the first prime minister of Canada?: Sir John A. Macdonald. He was one of the Fathers of Confederation, and he became Canada’s first Prime Minister in 1867.Discover Canada, Canada's History › Confederation, p. 18 (opens the official guide on canada.ca)
Why was Canada Day once called Dominion Day?: Until 1982, July 1 was called Dominion Day. It marked the day in 1867 when Canada became a self-governing Dominion. Today it is officially Canada Day.Discover Canada, Canada's History › Confederation, p. 18 (opens the official guide on canada.ca)