London Conference results in the British North America Act

March 13, 2017

George Etienne Cartier, a key delegate to the London Conference, William Notman, 1863. McCord Museum, I-7956

1866

Between December 1866 and March 1867, 16 delegates from New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and the Province of Canada met with British government officials in London, England, to draft a bill recommending Canadian Confederation. The London Conference was the last in a series of meetings concerning Confederation, and was chaired by John A. Macdonald, who would become Canada’s first prime minister. Delegates reviewed the wording of the Quebec Resolutions (or 72 Resolutions) that were drafted at the 1864 Quebec Conference, and eventually composed the London Resolutions, which were subsequently used to draft the British North America Act.

Each day for 150 days leading up to the opening of the Canadian History Hall, we’re presenting one moment among the many that have shaped our country. Discover more of Canada’s significant historical events in the new Canadian History Hall, opening July 1, 2017.