Newfoundland Bill | The Canadian Encyclopedia

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Newfoundland Bill

The people of NEWFOUNDLAND rejected CONFEDERATION in 1867, choosing to remain a British colony until 1948, when a majority of voters indicated their willingness to join Canada.

Newfoundland Bill

The people of NEWFOUNDLAND rejected CONFEDERATION in 1867, choosing to remain a British colony until 1948, when a majority of voters indicated their willingness to join Canada. The 2 governments negotiated the Terms of Union, which, following a request from the Canadian Parliament, were incorporated into the Dominion of Canada by the British Parliament through the BRITISH NORTH AMERICA ACT, 1949. Newfoundland (including LABRADOR) became a province on 31 March 1949. The Terms of Union restored Newfoundland's legislature and responsible government, which had been suspended since 1933.

The validity of the British North America Act, 1949 was challenged, but the Newfoundland Supreme Court found that the United Kingdom could legislate as it saw fit regarding Newfoundland.