Provincial map of Canada
Ontario? New Brunswick? Quebec? Oh! Canada!
Canada has had a unique and, at times, tumultuous history within the British Empire. Because they have a history as both British and French colonies, the territories were not a united colony until the Canadian Confederation in 1867. As the century came to a close and the 20th century dawned, Canadian statesmen pushed for more equal representation and independence from the UK and her empire. These efforts were rewarded initially in 1926 when the Imperial Conference in London confirmed Canada a special status as a Dominion, and five years later they were separated from the UK parliament with the Statute and were able to pass their own laws. Canada, however, did not wish to give up their whole connection with the UK, so agreed to become a partner in creating the Commonwealth. Since the foundation, Canada has not only been a member of the organization, but also remains an influential part of the Commonwealth.
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Knight and Nationalist
Sir Wilfred Laurier - Seventh Prime Minister of Canada
Canada's part in the Commonwealth may have started in 1931, but their movement began long before. By 1896 Canada had been unified for twenty-nine years. Sir Wilfrid Laurier, the seventh Canadian prime minister, had been an outspoken Canadian nationalist and called for unity and independence from the empire. He was tested in 1897 when, following the tradition of Canadian prime ministers, he was knighted by Queen Victoria with attempts made to convince him to fall in line with the Crown. At his death in 1919 his commitment to Canadian independence was celebrated by more than fifty-thousand Canadians lining the streets to participate in his funeral procession. Laurier was not without his faults. In 1911 he agreed to bar any African Americans wishing to migrate to the Canadian provinces from entry despite the need for immigrant workers. This unfortunate law was passed at an unfortunate time as many African Americans attempted to migrate away from violence and hate they experiences in the United States.
Memorial parade for Sir Wilfrid Laurier
The Commonwealth Secretariat
In 1965, the Commonwealth adopted a new hierarchy. Drawing from the experiences of the member states, representative officers were made to give a voice to the member nations. The first Commonwealth Secretary-general was awarded to a Canadian, Arnold Smith, due to the trust other nations put into the country for their dedication to the organization. Elected by the heads of the member nations, Smith moved forward swiftly to promote the Commonwealth's ideals in supporting democracy, development, and human rights. Smith's dedication to the Commonwealth was tested nearly immediately by the Rhodesian declaration of independence from the UK, followed by deliberation in a war between Pakistan and India, both members of the Commonwealth, and finally Pakistan's protestations of allowing Bangladesh into the organization. Though his eight years in office saw many crises, Smith believed that the Commonwealth would be the greatest gift from Britain, not only to its members, but to the world.
Canada and the Commonwealth
Canadian citizens, much like us in the United States, have the rights to political representation, both at the federal and local levels, as well as participation in the political process and the right to work. However, Canada also offers expanded benefits to Commonwealth citizens. If you are immigrating from certain countries within the Commonwealth, you have an automatic right as a dual citizen of Canada and your home nation. Additionally, much like the British consulate services, the Canadians offer consulate services to many of the citizens of the Commonwealth. Canada has also pledged to help the Commonwealth's goals of expanding education, industry, and cooperation through several donations to Commonwealth charitable foundations. These foundations help to provide better opportunities in developing countries inside the organization through easier access to colleges and development grants while providing consulting assistance in tandem.
Arnold Smith - First Secretary-general of the Commonwealth