Canada's Founding DebatesJanet Ajzenstat, Paul Romney, Ian Gentles, William D. Gairdner Canada's Founding Debates is about Confederation—about the process that brought together six out of the seven territories of British North America in the years 1864-73 to form a country called Canada. It presents excerpts from the debates on Confederation in all of the colonial parliaments from Newfoundland to British Columbia and in the constituent assembly of the Red River Colony. The voices of the powerful and those of lesser note mingle in impassioned debate on the pros and cons of creating or joining the new country, and in defining its nature. In short explanatory essays and provocative annotations, the editors sketch the historical context of the debates and draw out the significance of what was said. By organizing the debates thematically, they bring out the depth of the founders' concern for issues that are as vital today as they were then: the meaning of liberty, the merits of democracy, the best form of self-government, the tension between collective and individual rights, the rule of law, the requirements of political leadership, and, of course, the nature of Canadian nationality. Canada's Founding Debates offers a fresh and often surprising perspective on Canada's origins, history, and political character. Previously published by Stoddart Publishing, 1999. |
From inside the book
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... gentlemen opposite want to keep as much power as possible in the hands of the government — that is the doctrine of the Conservative Party everywhere — that is the line which distinguishes the Tories from the Whigs — the Tories always ...
... gentlemen who dread the loss of local rights and privileges at the hands of the stronger race. For the rest, Mr. Speaker ... I trust I may be pardoned for expressing my conviction that the loyalty and fidelity of the early settlers of ...
... gentlemen say the people are not in favour of responsible government; time will show. I say that they will almost as a unit insist upon it, and I lay down this proposition — no responsible government, no Confederation; no Confederation ...
... gentlemen who are unpopular now, because ruling without the consent of the people, would be popular then, because ruling by the act and with the consent of the people. The people of British Columbia are naturally a conservative people ...
... gentlemen who are familiar with the wants of the colony, or a moveable ministry going out on a question of repairs to Cowichan road, or something of that kind. These are amongst the things that you have to consider, and if after due ...
Contents
PART THREE WHAT THEY SAID ABOUT IDENTITY | |
British or Canadian? | |
What Is a Canadian? | |
PART FOUR WHAT THEY SAID ABOUT THE NEW NATIONALITY | |
Minorities and Minority Rights | |
PART FIVE HOW TO MAKE A CONSTITUTION | |
Pro and | |
Appendixes | |
Afterword on Books | |
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Canada's Founding Debates Janet Ajzenstat,Paul Romney,Ian Gentles,William Gairdner No preview available - 2017 |