Entered Confederation: 1949

The British colony of Newfoundland Copyright

England had claimed Newfoundland as a territory by the end of the 1500s. Fishing was the main industry. Although Newfoundland participated in the Quebec Conference, it did not join Canada in 1867. By 1949 the people of the island had to decide what to do about their political future. Many people wanted to remain a colony of Britain. Others, led by Joseph Smallwood, wanted Newfoundland to become a province of Canada. They had these reasons:

Newfoundland joins Canada, 1949 Copyright

• Britain didn't want the cost of supporting Newfoundland any more. Joining Canada would mean more money for Newfoundland.

• Canada promised to help them by building many things such as roads and railways.

There was a vote, and Newfoundlanders decided to join Canada by just a few votes.

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