1864
Charlottetown Conference Proposed
Colonial leaders formally propose holding the Charlottetown Conference to discuss political union of British North American colonies, a key step toward Confederation.
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Colonial leaders formally propose holding the Charlottetown Conference to discuss political union of British North American colonies, a key step toward Confederation.
The Senate of Canada is officially constituted following Confederation, with 72 senators appointed to represent the four original provinces of Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia.
Parliament passes the Alberta Act and Saskatchewan Act, creating two new western provinces effective September 1, 1905, bringing the total number of Canadian provinces to nine.
Richard Bedford Bennett's Conservative Party defeats Mackenzie King's Liberals in the federal election, taking power just as the Great Depression worsens and promising high tariffs to protect Canadian jobs.
Canada's new Charter of Rights and Freedoms, entrenched in the Constitution Act, 1982, comes fully into force, guaranteeing fundamental freedoms, democratic rights and equality rights.
Prime Minister Brian Mulroney announces that Canada will seek a bilateral free trade agreement with the United States, a landmark shift in Canadian trade policy.
Lucien Bouchard officially takes the helm of the Bloc Québécois, positioning the sovereigntist federal party ahead of the anticipated Quebec referendum on independence.
The Clarity Act receives Royal Assent, establishing the terms under which the federal government would negotiate with a province seeking to separate from Canada following a clear referendum result.