1749
New Governor of Cape Breton Arrives
Charles de la Ralière, the new Governor of Isle Royale (Cape Breton Island), arrives to take possession of the colony for France, reinforcing French presence in the Atlantic region.
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Charles de la Ralière, the new Governor of Isle Royale (Cape Breton Island), arrives to take possession of the colony for France, reinforcing French presence in the Atlantic region.
British forces under General Amherst continue to tighten their siege of Louisbourg, the great French fortress on Cape Breton Island, with the fortress expected to fall within days.
American Revolutionary forces make another attempt to draw Quebec into the rebellion, though most French Canadians remain neutral or loyal to the British Crown during the American Revolutionary War.
The Champlain and St. Lawrence Railroad, the first steam-powered railway in Canada, is inaugurated at Laprairie, Quebec, running 24 kilometres to St. Johns (Saint-Jean-sur-Richelieu).
Plans for the Charlottetown Conference, scheduled for September 1864, are finalized, setting the stage for the most important political meetings in Canadian history that will lead to Confederation.
Manitoba officially becomes Canada's fifth province on July 15, 1870, following the Red River Resistance led by Louis Riel. June 30 sees final preparations for the transition.
Canadian Pacific Railway tracks reach the site of what will become Calgary, Alberta, as the transcontinental railway pushes steadily westward through the prairies, spurring new settlement.
Parliament amends the Northwest Territories Act to provide for a partly elected Northwest Territories Council, a step toward greater self-governance for the territories.
Parliament passes reforms to the Dominion Elections Act, improving the procedures for federal elections and expanding the franchise in some respects, reflecting growing democratic sentiment.
Trans-Canada Air Lines (now Air Canada) is founded as a Crown corporation to operate the national airline, with the first passenger service beginning in 1937 between Vancouver and Seattle.
Canadian Prime Minister Mackenzie King advocates for greater autonomy for Dominions at the Imperial Conference, paving the way for the Balfour Declaration recognizing Dominions as autonomous communities.
Agnes Macphail, Canada's first female MP, delivers a significant speech in Parliament advocating for women's rights, prison reform and rural interests, demonstrating her influential role as a trailblazer.
The Canadian Broadcasting Corporation is founded by an Act of Parliament, taking over from the Canadian Radio Broadcasting Commission as Canada's public broadcaster in both English and French.
As European tensions reach a breaking point, Canada begins quiet military preparations, including expanding RCAF training programs and placing armaments orders, anticipating that war may be imminent.
As war clouds gather over Europe, the Royal Canadian Air Force begins establishing training schools across Canada, preparing for what will become the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan.
Canadian forces from the 3rd Canadian Infantry Division continue their advance into Normandy, France, fighting to secure their D-Day objectives and push toward the city of Caen.
Canada becomes a founding member of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO), signing the North Atlantic Treaty in Washington. Canada has the distinction of proposing Article 2 on economic cooperation.
Quebec's revised civil code begins to address some property rights issues for married women, part of gradual legal reforms affecting French-Canadian women during the Quiet Revolution.
Centennial celebrations continue across Canada as the nation marks 100 years since Confederation, with Expo 67 in Montreal drawing millions of visitors from around the world.
The Canadian Armed Forces, following unification under the Canadian Forces Reorganization Act of 1968, begin fully integrated operations, eliminating the separate identities of the army, navy and air force.
The National Anthem Act makes O Canada Canada's official national anthem, just in time for Canada's 113th birthday. Robert Stanley Weir's English words and Adolphe-Basile Routhier's French lyrics become official.
The Government of Canada officially introduces the one-dollar coin, nicknamed the 'loonie' for the common loon on its reverse side, as the paper dollar bill begins to be withdrawn from circulation.
Jean Chrétien's Liberal Party of Canada wins a majority government in the federal election, defeating Kim Campbell's Conservatives and beginning a decade of Liberal government.
Construction begins on the Confederation Bridge, the world's longest bridge over ice-covered waters, linking Prince Edward Island to the New Brunswick mainland. The bridge will open in 1997.
As Hong Kong is handed over from British to Chinese sovereignty, thousands of Hong Kong Canadians watch anxiously, having emigrated to Canada partly due to concerns about life under Chinese rule.
Mass protests at the G20 Summit in Toronto result in over 1,100 arrests — the largest mass arrest in Canadian history — as police and protesters clash over security measures and economic policies.
The debate over the Keystone XL pipeline project intensifies as the Canadian government pushes for US approval to export Alberta oilsands crude to American refineries.