At the Canada Conference '99. In Celebration of the 50th Anniversary of the Entry of Newfoundland into Confederation

A union of two free and democratic people. Each with their own unique histories and traditions. A union freely entered. After full, open and honest debate. A union negotiated between two sovereign countries. Each represented by able leaders of their own choosing. Each of whom rose to the historic occasion and challenge.

Who saw in Confederation a chance to combine our strengths. To make something new and better for their children and for our children.

Our responsibility-- yours and mine -- on the eve of the new millennium, is to keep moving ahead. And to meet the needs and concerns of tomorrow, by building together on the firm foundation they laid.

The years 1945 to 1949 were ones to remember for the people of Newfoundland and Labrador. A time of unprecedented change. A time of "firsts." The National Convention was itself an historic innovation. It was the first such body ever to be created anywhere in the lands and territories who gave allegiance to the British Crown.

The two referenda which followed, during the summer of 1948 marked the first time in the history of the British democratic tradition, that citizens were given the power to decide their future through secret ballot. More, the election of the members of the National Convention in 1946 marked the first time ever that the people of Labrador -- aboriginal and settlers alike -- were given an opportunity to elect representatives to their country's parliament.

Confederation was the work of many hands. Of remarkable leaders. Whose achievement was worthy of their labour.

Three Prime Ministers of Canada were deeply involved in and committed to making the dream of union a reality. William Lyon MacKenzie King agreed to negotiate Confederation with Newfoundland. Louis St. Laurent helped to negotiate the actual Terms of the Union. And persuaded Parliament to endorse and accept them. It was also his good fortune to be Prime Minister on this day fifty years ago. Lester Pearson, who gave me my first seat in Cabinet, was a leading member of the first-rate team of Canadian civil servants who helped their Ministers.

Mitchell Sharp, my cherished friend and mentor, worked closely with Mr. Pearson. And then there was Jack Pickersgill. The one and only. I know that wherever Jack is today, he is smiling and waving the Maple Leaf with all of his might.

Speaking for Newfoundland and Labrador were men just as remarkable and equally deserving of honour. Forty-five representatives were elected to the Convention. Two, Alfred Watton and William Banfield, are still alive today. A third, Michael Harrington, passed away just a few days ago. Many went on to take a leading role in the public life of Newfoundland and Canada after Confederation. Three were elected to the House of Commons in 1949. Seven were elected to the House of Assembly.

Among them, of course, was Joey Smallwood, himself. A true original. Who stood at the centre stage of Newfoundland politics for the first 25 years of Confederation.

I want to speak, also, of the contribution of Gordon Winter. His work as a member of the Newfoundland delegation was the start of a distinguished career in the service of the people of his homeland. Which culminated with his tenure as Lieutenant-Governor. Please join me now in honouring his presence with us today.

Ladies and gentlemen, building a country is a big job. It takes guts, vision and perseverance. Those who seek to take on such an adventure must have a vision of the future. And the eloquence to give voice to that vision. They must have the courage to stand against those who oppose change. Some out of sincere and deep attachment to the past. Some out of fear of the unknown.

Above all they must have the strength and perseverance to carry their cause forward. Joey Smallwood and Gordon Bradley, and all of the thousands of men and women who worked with them to build a new Canada, one that included Newfoundland and Labrador, were blessed with those qualities in abundance. What they built has stood the test of time. Just as Canada herself.

I have no quarrel who those who say that Confederation has not brought unmeasured bliss to Newfoundland or to Canada. And I know well that there are those who second-guess history. Who seek to use the vantage point of 1999 to tear down the accomplishments of 1949.

But I say to you today, with confidence, that the people of Newfoundland and Labrador would almost unanimously choose Canada if another referendum was to be held today. And I say, too, with equal confidence, that the people of Canada would extend an even warmer welcome to Newfoundland and Labrador today than they did 50 years ago.

The vision of a union between Newfoundland and Canada is as old as the idea of Confederation itself. Two men of Newfoundland, Sir Frederick Carter and Sir Ambrose Shea, spoke for their homeland at the Quebec Conference in 1864. The resolutions adopted there, and at the Westminster Conference two years later, were the foundation upon which our constitution was built.

For although it was an Imperial statute, adopted by the British Parliament, we should never forget that the basic principles of the Canadian Constitution were decided upon by Canadians themselves, over hundred and thirty years ago.

The Canada that George Brown, Georges Etienne Cartier and John A. Macdonald sought to create included Newfoundland. The British Parliament enshrined that vision in the original British North America Act of 1867. Although Newfoundland was to decide that it would not join as one of the four founding provinces, the Fathers of Confederation still made a place for it.

Their vision was clear. But it took a long time before the people of Newfoundland became convinced that their destiny lay with Canada. The Bible sets our normal span of life at three score years and ten. Coincidence or not, 70 years passed before Canada became the country her founders envisioned.

The people of Newfoundland felt -- and feel -- rightful pride in their heritage. As an independent people who lived in a land they proudly proclaimed to be the oldest colony of Britain. They treasured their independence because it embodied their fierce struggle to build a worthy home for themselves and their children on their rugged island...and on the equally rugged shores of Labrador. Anyone who has read the history of Newfoundland and Labrador must admire their fortitude and determination, and acknowledge their achievements.

The decision to unite with Canada was hard-fought because Newfoundland was to become part of a greater nation. Many believed, with great sincerity and even greater conviction, that in doing so they would forfeit their independence and their heritage.

Fifty years of union have erased those fears. The people of Newfoundland and Labrador are just as independent, just as proud and just as true to their heritage as were their ancestors.

I am proud to be a Canadian for reasons that are too many to count. Foremost among them is the belief -- the certain knowledge -- that one can be a proud Canadian while at the same time being a proud son or daughter of Newfoundland and Labrador, of Quebec or of British Columbia. Such dual allegiance does not weaken us. It gives us strength. That is the genius of Canada.

And that, ladies and gentlemen, is the best measure of the success of the union between Newfoundland and Canada. Of the Confederation we celebrate so joyfully today. The unique culture of Newfoundland and Labrador, through which her people express themselves, their hopes and their achievements is, today, even more vibrant than that of their mothers and fathers, their grandfathers and grandmothers, a half century ago or more.

Their identity as Canadians has not diminished their distinct identity in the slightest. Quite the contrary, it has enhanced and strengthened their exuberant pride in being from Newfoundland and Labrador.

They sing O Canada with the same fervour as the Ode to Newfoundland. The proud pledge in O Canada that we "stand on guard for the true north strong and free" is echoed in the Ode, with the ringing affirmation:"as loved our fathers so we love, where once they stood we stand."

So let us proclaim our joy at the Union. Our joy in Canada. And our joy in Newfoundland and Labrador.

Those who worked to bring about Confederation built better than they ever knew. Canada is a better country because Newfoundland became part of it. Canadians are a better people because the people of Newfoundland are among us. Newfoundland is a better place because she became a part of Canada. And Newfoundlanders are better people because they became Canadians.

It is true that Canada, through the Government of Canada, and with the support of all of the other provinces, has extended a helping hand to Newfoundland from time to time over the years. It is also true that the Government of Canada, again with the support of all of the provinces, including Newfoundland, has held out that same hand to other Canadians.

That is our strength as a people. Unbreakable ties of affection and respect bind us one to another. Common values and a common determination to build a country in which we, our children and grandchildren can live full and satisfying lives.

Ladies and gentlemen, Newfoundland and Canada have helped the dreams of each other come true!

Louis St. Laurent spoke with great eloquence -- as a nation-builder -- to the Parliament of Canada when he introduced the legislation that gave effect to the Terms of Union in February 1949. In words that every Canadian would endorse. Words that were endorsed by Members on every side of the House. Calling it a "measure…of an epoch-making character," he asked Parliament to take up "the historic task of considering the addition to Canada of the last segment in the original plan of the Fathers of Confederation."

He ended his speech with these heart-felt words:

"The people of Newfoundland and Canada are not strangers to each other. They come from the same stocks. They have developed under the same system of responsible government, of love of individual freedom, of respect for the human being as more important than the state. They have developed in the view that the state exists for the individual, and not the individual for the state. …This union of Canada and Newfoundland is desirable in the interests of the people of these two lands, and as a lesson to the whole world of what can be accomplished by men of good will".

It is good will that brought us together. It is enduring good will that has sustained our union through the ups and the downs. And it is men and women of good will, in this room and beyond, across this great country, who are today building an even brighter future.

The motto of Canada is the Biblical phrase: "A mari usque ad mare -- From Sea to Sea." That was the vision that moved John A. Macdonald and the Fathers of Confederation in 1867. The entry of Newfoundland into Confederation made that great vision a reality.

Please join me now in paying tribute to those who made this great adventure possible. Who dared to dream of what was possible if two became one. Who inspired our people to follow that dream.

Who brought Newfoundland and Canada together, at the stroke of midnight, 50 years ago today.