Celebrating BC joining Confederation, 146 years later: Senator Jaffer
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On July 1, 2017 Canadians celebrated the 150th anniversary of Confederation. But in the spirit of federalism, let us remember that only four provinces came together in 1867. For those of us from Canada’s other provinces and territories — British Columbia in my case — we mustn’t forget our own stories.
July 20th marks the 146th anniversary of British Columbia joining Canada. While that’s not as catchy as the big 1-5-0, it remains an opportunity to remember where we come from.
The story of the land we today call British Columbia starts long before Confederation. For at least 8,000 years, a rich and diverse collection of First Nations spread out and thrived in its coastal rain forests and inland valleys. Indeed, B.C. has the greatest diversity of Indigenous cultures in Canada — more than 60% of the country’s First Nations languages are found here.
When European explorers first set out across the Atlantic Ocean, they were searching for a gateway to India and China. And when they set out in canoes deep into Canada’s Great Lakes and river ways, they were searching for a route to the next ocean, one leading to Asia. Anchored on the Pacific, B.C. represents the fulfilment of this quest for an interconnected world.
So vast was the New World that the first Europeans to see the West Coast actually came by sea. The Spanish came up from the west coast of Mexico; then the Russians, from across the Bering Strait; and only later the British, passing through the Strait of Magellan. Explorers James Cook and George Vancouver were the first to map out its coasts and Simon Fraser the first to map out its principal river, which now bears his name. The first settlement was built in 1843 at present-day Victoria, with resources like fur, fish and lumber as the main attractions.
In 1858, the Fraser River Gold Rush drew tens of thousands of prospectors, many American, to the mainland, inciting the need for establishing a stable system of local governance. It was just as the eastern colonies of British North America were debating Confederation, that B.C. got its first taste of representative government. A combination of recession, America’s purchasing of Alaska in 1867 and Canada’s acquisition of Rupert’s Land in 1870 — which connected Canada’s founding four provinces across the continent to British Columbia — were enough to finally get B.C. to join Canada in 1871.
This unique history has left its mark on our province.
Our early isolation and unique relationship with the British Empire has arguably led to a more comfortable relationship with federalism and as Canada’s Pacific province, we’re leading Canada into a Pacific century. Since the 1980s, Canada’s trade within the Pacific basin has surpassed its trade with Europe — with most of these goods passing through the Port of Vancouver. Indeed, B.C. is Canada’s gateway to the East and the East’s gateway to Canada.
My own story is a B.C. story too. I came to British Columbia in 1975 as a refugee from Uganda and learned very quickly just how lucky I was. Despite lingering prejudice, exceptional individuals stuck their necks out for me. I think of lawyer Jack Kowarsky, who gave me a start in this country. And I think of former senator Gerry St. Germain, who fought to help my father get an egg farming licence despite the Egg Marketing Board’s cold feet at the thought of a dark-skinned egg farmer in B.C.
There’s a good reason why any Canadian called to serve in the Senate takes pride in representing their home province. British Columbia is home to over 4.6 million people and embodies place, history and culture. As a B.C. senator, I’ve had the privilege to bring our unique voice and interests to Parliament. With a home like ours, public service comes naturally.
Mobina Jaffer is a senator representing British Columbia. She is deputy chair of the Senate Committee on National Security and Defence, chair of the Senate Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs, and chair of the Senate Subcommittee on Diversity.
The Honourable Senator Mobina Jaffer retired from the Senate of Canada in August 2024. Visit the Library of Parliament's Parlinfo website to learn more about her work in Parliament.
On July 1, 2017 Canadians celebrated the 150th anniversary of Confederation. But in the spirit of federalism, let us remember that only four provinces came together in 1867. For those of us from Canada’s other provinces and territories — British Columbia in my case — we mustn’t forget our own stories.
July 20th marks the 146th anniversary of British Columbia joining Canada. While that’s not as catchy as the big 1-5-0, it remains an opportunity to remember where we come from.
The story of the land we today call British Columbia starts long before Confederation. For at least 8,000 years, a rich and diverse collection of First Nations spread out and thrived in its coastal rain forests and inland valleys. Indeed, B.C. has the greatest diversity of Indigenous cultures in Canada — more than 60% of the country’s First Nations languages are found here.
When European explorers first set out across the Atlantic Ocean, they were searching for a gateway to India and China. And when they set out in canoes deep into Canada’s Great Lakes and river ways, they were searching for a route to the next ocean, one leading to Asia. Anchored on the Pacific, B.C. represents the fulfilment of this quest for an interconnected world.
So vast was the New World that the first Europeans to see the West Coast actually came by sea. The Spanish came up from the west coast of Mexico; then the Russians, from across the Bering Strait; and only later the British, passing through the Strait of Magellan. Explorers James Cook and George Vancouver were the first to map out its coasts and Simon Fraser the first to map out its principal river, which now bears his name. The first settlement was built in 1843 at present-day Victoria, with resources like fur, fish and lumber as the main attractions.
In 1858, the Fraser River Gold Rush drew tens of thousands of prospectors, many American, to the mainland, inciting the need for establishing a stable system of local governance. It was just as the eastern colonies of British North America were debating Confederation, that B.C. got its first taste of representative government. A combination of recession, America’s purchasing of Alaska in 1867 and Canada’s acquisition of Rupert’s Land in 1870 — which connected Canada’s founding four provinces across the continent to British Columbia — were enough to finally get B.C. to join Canada in 1871.
This unique history has left its mark on our province.
Our early isolation and unique relationship with the British Empire has arguably led to a more comfortable relationship with federalism and as Canada’s Pacific province, we’re leading Canada into a Pacific century. Since the 1980s, Canada’s trade within the Pacific basin has surpassed its trade with Europe — with most of these goods passing through the Port of Vancouver. Indeed, B.C. is Canada’s gateway to the East and the East’s gateway to Canada.
My own story is a B.C. story too. I came to British Columbia in 1975 as a refugee from Uganda and learned very quickly just how lucky I was. Despite lingering prejudice, exceptional individuals stuck their necks out for me. I think of lawyer Jack Kowarsky, who gave me a start in this country. And I think of former senator Gerry St. Germain, who fought to help my father get an egg farming licence despite the Egg Marketing Board’s cold feet at the thought of a dark-skinned egg farmer in B.C.
There’s a good reason why any Canadian called to serve in the Senate takes pride in representing their home province. British Columbia is home to over 4.6 million people and embodies place, history and culture. As a B.C. senator, I’ve had the privilege to bring our unique voice and interests to Parliament. With a home like ours, public service comes naturally.
Mobina Jaffer is a senator representing British Columbia. She is deputy chair of the Senate Committee on National Security and Defence, chair of the Senate Subcommittee on Veterans Affairs, and chair of the Senate Subcommittee on Diversity.
The Honourable Senator Mobina Jaffer retired from the Senate of Canada in August 2024. Visit the Library of Parliament's Parlinfo website to learn more about her work in Parliament.