New Brunswick's Confederation Entry

In 1867, New Brunswick joined with Nova Scotia and the Province of Canada (now Quebec and Ontario) to form the Dominion of Canada. This was the culmination of efforts to establish a Maritime Union during the 1860s. The province's decision to join the Canadian Confederation was influenced by several factors, including the desire to increase trade between the colonies and reduce economic dependence on the US, as well as concerns about potential American expansionism following the American Civil War. The Fenian Raids of 1866, which targeted Campobello Island in New Brunswick, also fuelled a sense of insecurity and bolstered support for Confederation.

New Brunswick joined the Dominion of Canada

The idea of a union between the British colonies in North America had been discussed at the Charlottetown Conference in 1864, which had initially been organised to talk about a potential union between the three Maritime colonies: New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island. However, delegates from the Province of Canada (now Ontario and Quebec) also attended and suggested a wider union.

There was some opposition to the union within New Brunswick, and in 1865, a majority in the New Brunswick legislature had swung against it. Albert Smith, an anti-Confederation figure, defeated the pro-Confederation premier Samuel Tilley in a snap election that year. However, the Fenian Raids in 1866, which saw a group of Irish-American Civil War veterans attack Campobello Island in New Brunswick, fuelled a sense of insecurity in the colony and increased support for Confederation.

After Tilley's party won another election in 1866, the legislature voted 38-1 in favour of Confederation. Tilley is also credited with suggesting the name 'Dominion' for the new nation, inspired by a Biblical passage from Psalms.

New Brunswick's decision to join the Dominion of Canada was marked with celebrations, including a 21-gun salute and public parades. However, there was also unrest, with anti-Confederation groups getting into fistfights during a march in Saint John.

The province experienced an economic downturn

The province of New Brunswick experienced an economic downturn in the late 19th century, following its entry into the Dominion of Canada in 1867. This downturn was caused by a combination of factors, including new national policies, trade barriers, and the decline of the wooden sailing shipbuilding industry.

The Dominion of Canada was formed through the union of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario, and Quebec. This union disrupted the historic trading relationship between the Maritime Provinces and New England, as new tariffs and trade barriers were implemented. The situation in New Brunswick was made worse by the Great Fire of 1877 in Saint John, which left 13,000 people homeless and caused over $27 million in damages. The city of Saint John, a hub for shipbuilding, was particularly hard hit by these changes.

In addition, the global recession sparked by the Panic of 1893 significantly impacted the local export economy. Many skilled workers lost their jobs and were forced to migrate west or south to the United States in search of better opportunities. Despite these challenges, as the 20th century approached, the province's economy began to recover. Manufacturing, particularly in the textile industry, gained momentum with the construction of several textile mills across the province.

Furthermore, in the forestry sector, the sawmills that had previously dominated the industry gave way to larger pulp and paper mills. However, unemployment remained a pressing issue, and the Great Depression of the 1930s dealt another blow to the province's economy. It was not until the emergence of influential families like the Irvings and the McCains that the provincial economy began to modernise and integrate vertically.

During the early 20th century, New Brunswick's economy started to show signs of improvement. The construction of railways facilitated the transportation of inland resources to markets, benefiting industries such as logging and farming. Additionally, the establishment of textile mills and the transition from sawmills to larger pulp and paper mills contributed to the province's economic recovery.

New Brunswick was officially recognised as bilingual

In 1867, New Brunswick was one of the four original provinces to enter into Confederation, joining with Ontario, Quebec, and Nova Scotia to form the Dominion of Canada. This was the culmination of efforts to establish a Maritime Union during the 1860s.

In the same year, Section 133 of the British North America Act, 1867, mandated the use of both English and French for official Acts, parliamentary debates, parliamentary publications, and federal court cases. However, it was not until 1969 that New Brunswick was officially recognised as a bilingual province, with the New Brunswick Official Languages Act. This act designated English and French as the official languages of the province, ensuring their equal status and equal rights in all institutions of the provincial parliament and government.

The recognition of New Brunswick as an officially bilingual province was significant, as it was the only province in Canada to voluntarily choose to become bilingual. This decision was enshrined in both provincial and federal law, with specific mention made in the Canadian Constitution and the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The Constitution Act, 1982, further recognised and guaranteed the equal status of French and English in New Brunswick at the provincial level.

The bilingual status of New Brunswick was not without controversy. There were recurring debates and tensions surrounding the interpretation of the provincial bilingualism policy, duality, and specifics of implementation. Some Anglophones feared that the system of duality was financially inefficient and that the provincial government's targets for bilingualism in public employment hurt their chances of obtaining government jobs. On the other hand, the French-speaking community advocated for full funding of French-language public services and fair representation in public sector employment.

Despite the challenges, the recognition of New Brunswick as an officially bilingual province ensured the protection and promotion of the rights of both the English and French-speaking communities, including community-specific educational and cultural institutions.

The province's first newspaper was published

The province's first newspaper, the Royal Saint John Gazette and Nova Scotian Intelligencer, was published by William Lewis and John Ryan at Parrtown. The publication of this newspaper was a significant milestone in the history of New Brunswick, as it provided a platform for the dissemination of information and ideas, fostering greater communication and connection within the province.

The Royal Saint John Gazette and Nova Scotian Intelligencer played a crucial role in shaping public discourse and opinion in the province. It served as a medium for the expression of diverse viewpoints, enabling residents to engage in debates and discussions on a range of topics, from politics and current affairs to social and cultural issues. The newspaper also provided a valuable source of information for those living in New Brunswick, offering news and updates on local, regional, and international events.

The establishment of the Royal Saint John Gazette and Nova Scotian Intelligencer reflected the growing importance of the province as a distinct political and cultural entity within British North America. It indicated the emergence of a vibrant civil society and a recognition of the need for a dedicated platform to address local issues and concerns. The newspaper became a forum for residents to share their thoughts and opinions, fostering a sense of community and engagement among the people of New Brunswick.

The publication of the province's first newspaper also had economic implications, contributing to the development of the local printing and publishing industry. It created opportunities for journalists, writers, and other creative professionals, as well as generating demand for related services such as advertising and distribution. The newspaper's establishment was a testament to the entrepreneurial spirit and innovation that characterised the province during this period.

The Royal Saint John Gazette and Nova Scotian Intelligencer holds a significant place in the historical record of New Brunswick, offering a unique insight into the province's past. Later generations have been able to gain a deeper understanding of the social, political, and cultural landscape of the time through the study of its pages. The newspaper serves as a valuable primary source for historians and scholars, shedding light on the lives and experiences of those who lived during this formative period in the province's history.

The first legislature of New Brunswick was elected

In 1867, New Brunswick joined with Nova Scotia and the Province of Canada (now Quebec and Ontario) to form the Dominion of Canada. This was a significant event in Canadian history, marking the beginning of the country's confederation.

The path to establishing this legislature began with discontent among refugees loyal to the British Crown, who had settled at the mouth of the St. John River (now part of the Province of Nova Scotia). These refugees, who arrived following the American Revolution, were unhappy with being governed from Halifax due to the distance and differences in political ideals. As a result, on June 18, 1784, the British government created the new Province of New Brunswick for them. Thomas Carleton was appointed as the first governor, and in 1785, he chose the hamlet of Sainte-Anne as the provincial capital, later renamed Fredericton.

The first legislature of New Brunswick was a significant milestone in the province's history, as it provided a forum for elected representatives to discuss and make laws relevant to the colony and its citizens. It also symbolised the colony's autonomy and marked a shift towards greater self-governance. The legislature played a crucial role in shaping the policies and future of New Brunswick, including its decision to join the Canadian Confederation in 1867.

The establishment of the first legislature of New Brunswick was a complex and challenging process. The refugee population was diverse, including individuals of British, German, Dutch, and Black Loyalist descent. Additionally, some Loyalists had brought slaves with them, while others included freed slaves. Navigating these diverse interests and ensuring fair representation for all would have been a difficult task for the newly elected representatives.

The legislature also had to address economic challenges, as New Brunswick's agriculture, mining, and fishery industries were not as developed as those in neighbouring colonies. Additionally, its forests, though rich in wood, faced limitations in accessing markets due to the low value and bulkiness of timber. Despite these challenges, the legislature played a pivotal role in shaping New Brunswick's future, and its establishment marked a significant step towards self-governance and democracy in the colony.

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