1. The Colony of BC and Confederation

2. Cariboo Gold Rush: 35,000+ prospectors
Started to leave Cariboo region and the colony
Rapid loss of revenue and population
BC suffered great financial losses
1866: BC and Van. Island had significant debts
Colonial office in Britain agreed w/ idea of union
August 6, 1866: British g’ment formally joined the 2 colonies together as British Columbia

3. Governor Seymour became governor of new colony
Legislative Council established
Union didn’t solve economic woes
Population cont’d to decline
Money issues cont’d

4. Confederation debate Three main factions:
Strongly opposed to confederation (anti-confederationists)
Strongly supported confederation (confederationists)
Annexation by the U.S. (annexationists)
b/t 1868 & 1870 the debate about BC’s future was ongoing

5. Elected rep’s on mainland: all in favor of confed.
Resolutions: Canada become liable for BC’s debt and fed. g’ment build a transcontinental railway
Annexationists: believed BC couldn’t cont. to operate w/out being connected to larger body
Thought Canada too distant from Pacific Coast

6. The tide turns… 1868: Legislative Assembly elections
Mainland: all confederationists
Van. Island: all anti-confederationists
June 1869: Gov. Seymour died
Anthony Musgrave as successor
Get BC to join Canada as soon as possible
Annexation not popular
July 20, 1871: BC joined confederation