“B.C. and the Canadian Federation”

Notes from R. M. Burns’ One Country or Two

J. Marshall, 2014

Intro:

B.C. joined Canada to “solve pressing problems of the day.”

For all of its history, B.C. has experienced

“emerging colonialism” desiring the benefits of Confederation while fighting “parental control.”

http://www.sfu.ca

B.C. is not homogeneous

1. Even before Europeans, many First Nations with unique languages and cultures2. Wide range of geographic and climatic regions3. Even today, regions defined by resources/economic activity: self-interest can drive political agenda

Still, enough to keep the province together: but we traditionally saw ourselves as an “outpost of empire – first of Great Britain then of Canada”

http://www.nps.gov

Born of the Sea

• Explorers and settlers came from the sea

• Russia, Spain, Britain and USA

http://www.u-s-history.com

Part of the USA?

• Colonial Office wanted the colonies to stay British

• The 1858 gold rush ended quickly so US miners went home

• Economic depression in the 1860s saw leaders look to Canada for cash

• Vancouver Island, especially, pro British

http://www.bcarchives.gov.bc.ca

Fighting for more (revenue/expenditure imbalance)

• B.C. leaders have always tried to get more

(power, money, etc)

• Power to exclude Chinese (head tax)

• Adjustments / payment for CPR / contracts

(and other contracts since!)

• Try to get subsidies (still going on: have vs. have not)

http://faculty.umf.maine.edu

end