December 30, 1867
ONTARIO AND QUÉBEC THRONE SPEECHES
The Speeches from the Throne were delivered two days ago in the provincial legislatures of Ontario and Québec marking the formal beginning of local control over local affairs within the new Canadian Dominion.
The speeches, delivered by the Lieutenants-Governor Major-General Sir Henry Stisted (Ontario) and Sir N. F. Belleau (Québec), were long on ambition though modest in their immediate measures owning to the fact that the finances of both provinces are uncertain until the accounts of the late Province of Canada are settled by Arbitrators soon to be appointed.
In light of this uncertainty, the speeches were short on specifics, urging the legislators in both provinces to encourage immigration and the settlement of public lands. In Ontario, MPPs will be asked to consider a liberal Homestead Law that will grant free land to bona fide settlers in the province.
In Québec, Sir Belleau asked the legislators to focus on four broad policy areas:
- the improvement of agriculture
- a more systematic and prudent management of forests and mines
- the advancement of public education and encouragement of sciences, letters, and arts which “are not only…a means of developing the prosperity of a people, but even next to the religious element constitute the highest test of the truly civilized community”
- the reform of education system on basis of study undertaken of education systems in Europe.
In Ontario, General Stisted urged members to work to husband provincial resources and expand the public wealth and, while encouraging individual enterprise, protecting “the interests of the public at large from the consequences of rash or ill-advised speculations.”
In closing their speeches each Governor offered their legislatures the greatest hopes for the future. To the Ontario legislators, Major-General Stisted said:
I would beseech you always to remember that while your immediate functions are limited to matters of local concern, you form the most prominent and populous position of a new-born Dominion, which I venture to hope, will, ere long, extend from the Atlantic to the Pacific, and be the home of a fast multitude of thriving and contented subjects of the British Crown. Your own position in this new Confederacy, weighty and influential as it now is, will hereafter become relatively of increasing magnitude, according to the degree of prudence, sagacity and forethought you may evince in the management of the important interests entrusted to your care.
To the Québec legislators, Sir Belleau said:
Occupying an important geographical position in the Confederation, comprising within her limits the two oldest and most prosperous cities of British America, peopled by the descendants of the two foremost nations of Europe, having in noble sacrifice long since made upon her soil for the establishment of Christianity and civilization, and even in the very struggle of our French and English ancestors, a past of which she may well be proud, this Province cannot fail to enjoy a future of well being, if her people continue to develop in pace and harmony the germs of prosperity which are at their disposal. I do not doubt but that your wisdom and your love for our common country will suggest to you the means of so doing.”
SHIPBUILDER’S STRIKE
An attempt at a compromise between the Québec ship-builders has failed. The ship-builders are refusing to hire union members and the carpenters are standing by the union. It is believed that the ship-yards will now close entirely.
CONGRESS MOVES TO PURCHASE HUDSON’S BAY TERRITORY
A series of resolutions moved in the House of Representatives of the United States seeks to purchase the territory controlled by the Hudson’s Bay Company for $6 million in satisfaction of all claims. The approval of the British government is required for the sale to go through making the offer null and void, save, the Quebec Gazette allows, as strengthening the position of the Company in the upcoming negotiations with Canada.