The Charlottetown Conference was held in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island for representatives from colonies of British North America to discuss Canadian Confederation. The conference took place between September 1 through 9, 1864. The conference had been planned as a meeting of representatives from the Maritime colonies; Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island. Britain encouraged a Maritime Union between these colonies, hoping that they would then become less economically and politically dependent on the Crown, and provide for greater economic and military power for the region in light of the American Civil War. However, another colony, the Province of Canada, comprising present-day Ontario and Québec, heard news of the planned conference and asked that the agenda be expanded to discuss a union that would also include them.
Delegates of the Charlottetown Conference on the steps of Government House
Charlottetown is the capital and largest city of the Canadian province of Prince Edward Island, and the county seat of Queens County. Named after Queen Charlotte, Charlottetown was an unincorporated town until it was incorporated as a city in 1855.
From top, left to right: Charlottetown skyline from Fort Amherst, Water Street in Downtown Charlottetown, Charlottetown Harbour, Queen's Square
Charlottetown was named for Queen Charlotte.
Members of the Charlottetown Conference, a conference to discuss Canadian Confederation, in front of Government House in 1864.
Entrance for the Confederation Centre of the Arts. The Centre was opened in 1964, to commemorate the centennial of the Charlottetown Conference.