What happened at the Charlottetown Conference of 1864?

The Charlottetown Conference, held in September 1864, was the first in a series of meetings that led to the formation of the Dominion of Canada.

Originally, the conference was intended to discuss a potential union of the Maritime Provinces. However, the scope shifted significantly when delegates from the Province of Canada (modern-day Ontario and Quebec) were invited to attend. Upon their arrival, the Canadian delegation successfully argued in favor of a broader union between the Maritime Provinces and Canada.1

While the Maritime delegates met privately on September 7 to discuss the original proposal for a regional union, they failed to reach an agreement. As the concept of a larger federation gained momentum, the Charlottetown Conference adjourned. The discussions continued later that year in Halifax and Quebec, eventually resulting in a draft constitution for the Canadian confederation.1