Territorial Evolution, 1949

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Abstract

In 1949, Newfoundland enters Confederation as the tenth province with the boundaries as delimited in 1927. Canada’s long and diversified settlement history is reflected in the two distinct patterns of boundaries that differentiate between eastern and western Canada. The eastern boundaries closely conform to natural features such as drainage basins, while the boundaries of western and northern Canada reflect the administrative organisation of these lands by, first, the Hudson’s Bay Company and later the Government of Canada.

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Canada

The colony of Newfoundland joined Canada in 1949, and became its tenth province. The mainland boundaries of the province were those defined in 1927 for Labrador.

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Photograph of Men Reading Newspapers, Announcing the Results of Newfoundland's Second Referendum

Newfoundland

The oldest of Britain's colonies, Newfoundland, had originally been established because of the presence of the rich fisheries of the Grand Banks. The colony of Newfoundland was granted responsible government in 1855, it decided, in 1867, to remain outside of Confederation and to protect its status.

But the economy of Newfoundland was still based on fisheries, and was not strong enough to withstand the Depression of the 1930s. Newfoundland was forced to ask for help from the British parliament and, in 1934, had to surrender its self-government. During the Second World War, both Canada and the United States spent heavily on airports, construction of deep harbours and docks for their navies and other defence installations on the island of Newfoundland. Thousands of soldiers from both countries were posted on the island. This military activity brought Newfoundlanders some prosperity and helped make Newfoundland's economy much stronger.

After 1945, the colony of Newfoundland had three choices: it could continue as a colony under the British government; it could become independent; or, it could join Canada. For many people, the most logical choice was to return to a form of responsible government in the hope of eventually becoming a completely independent country. But there was another group of people who believed that the best option was to join Canada. The Newfoundland economy and the standard of living of its people were both below Canada's, and many people believed that joining Canada would help to haul Newfoundland out of poverty.

There were many debates and two referendums; in the second referendum, a small majority voted to join Canada, with the result that, in 1949, Newfoundland became the tenth province of Canada. Although the province was relatively poor at the time, its position at the entrance of the St. Lawrence River (important both for defence and trade), and its many natural resources (fisheries, lumber and mining) made it an attractive addition to Canada.

The province assumed its present name (Newfoundland and Labrador) in 2001.

The animation Territorial Evolution 1867 to 1999 shows sequentially the history of the political boundary changes in Canada from Confederation to the creation of Nunavut.