The Foundations of Confederation

‘Out of the many delegates who attended the Charlottetown and Quebec Conferences, George-Étienne Cartier was the most significant participant who was the key to its success. Cartier was born on September 6, 1814 in St. Antoine, Lower Canada. He rose to power when he was elected into the Legislative Assembly in representation of Verchères in 1848, and later became the provincial secretary for Canada East in 1854. The actions taken by Cartier during this time was key in setting the process leading to Confederation in motion. Fearing the assimilation of the French as a result of the Act of Union, 1841, Cartier fought to maintain their power that resulted in a political deadlock, a major issue that led Cartier to partner with John A. Macdonald to work towards Confederation. Although many credit Macdonald with the achievement of Confederation, “as one of the primary architects of Canadian Confederation, George-Étienne Cartier fully deserves to be called a Father of Confederation.”  At the Charlottetown Conference, Cartier took the lead in convincing the Maritime colonies of the need for an intercolonial railway. He also oversaw the negotiations for the purchase of Rupert’s Land and the North-Western Territory. He, then, successfully negotiated the entry of Manitoba in Confederation by providing a solution that satisfied most of the Métis’ requests. “The Métis were guaranteed land; the rights of the two languages were recognized, and the schools of the religious minorities, whether they existed by virtue of law or of custom, were authorized.” Later on, Cartier played a significant role in the negotiations regarding the join in of British Columbia into Confederation as he convinced them of the need of a railway instead of a wagon road through the Rockies.  Not only that, the bill on the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway was introduced by Cartier as well. Along with Cartier’s significant actions in Confederation, “the confidence reposed in Cartier by the French Canadians was one of the most vital factors in the achievement of Confederation.”  Ultimately, the steps Cartier took in attempt to conserve the French culture resulted in the motion for Confederation in which his contributions became essential to its success.’