Reasons why pei joined confederation

By , PEI was looking at a desperate financial situation. Macdonald to win better terms. In this case, both parties were eager to see Confederation succeed, and they were able to obtain everything the colony required at the time. An organized movement in 19th century Prince Edward Island with the objective of ending absent landlordism and the distribution of lands to tenant farmers.

Skip to content Chapter 2. Confederation in Conflict. The Escheat Movement worked to eliminate leasehold tenures and absentee landlordism. PEI rejected Confederation in the s, and reconsidered its position in the s — mainly due to colonial debt. Previous: 2. Sir John A. The first circus to travel to Prince Edward Island in more than two decades also happened to be in town. The excitement created by the circus meant that few were on hand to celebrate the arrivals.

More importantly, there were no accommodations available in Charlottetown in which to house the Canadian delegates. Pope, was rowed out to the SS Queen Victoria to welcome them. In fact, it was aboard the SS Queen Victoria where most of the Canadian delegates found alternative accommodation during the Conference.

Over the next seven days, the merits of Confederation were discussed over formal meetings, and during grand balls and banquets. On September 8, the Charlottetown Conference was over, but for a ball that lasted until early the next morning. Though further deliberations were required at conferences held in Quebec and London, the matter was settled — the concept of Confederation was approved. Haythorne went to Ottawa for discussions in February , and put the resulting Confederation deal to Island voters in a general election.

He lost, but to James Pope — who also backed Confederation, but on better terms. Pope reached a new and even better deal, which the legislature approved. Canada took on the Island's railway debt, bought land from absentee landlords, and promised to maintain a year-round communication link with the Island. The day was celebrated in Charlottetown with bunting and streamers and a short ceremony. For P. Macdonald, Edward Palmer , W.

Pope , Col. John Hamilton Gray, T. Haviland and Edward Whelan. From The Critical Thinking Consortium website. The Charlottetown Conference and its Significance in Canadian History An article about key negotiations and outcomes of the Charlottetown Conference, a pivotal pre-Confederation meeting.

History of Canadian parliamentary institutions Milestones in the development of Canadian parliamentary institutions at provincial and federal levels. From the Parliament of Canada. From the journal Acadiensis.

A History of the Vote in Canada Scroll down this page for a review of the evolution of electoral law in the various regions of Canada before and after Confederation. From Elections Canada. From Parks Canada.