How could the Confederation be prevented,
I actually have a TL in the dusty part of my diskdrive:
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- 1864: The Charlottetown conference was called by the Maritime colonies with the object of forming a "Maritime Union" of new brunswwick, nova scotia and prince edward island the idea being of cutting cost linked infrastructure by pooling their resources and be in a better position to negotiate as a block. The conference's purpose was changed when representatives of the province of United Canada, who had requested to attend as observers, proposed an enlarged union that would include all of British North America. Newfoundland asked to attend but sent its request too late to be included. The conference, dominated by the canadian delegates, end with an agreement to meet in Quebec City a month hence to discuss the project of confederation further. The opinion in the Maritimes is divided with some seeing the benefit of being linked to the much larger canadian economy and military resources while other fear becoming junior partners to the canadians.
The Quebec Conference ends with the release of the 72 resolution describing the framework for confederation.
- 1865: The Atlantic Provinces population proved unimpressed with the Quebec Resolutions. The legislatures of Prince Edward Island and Nova Scotia reject them outright while the Premier of New Brunswick decide to go for an election which he loses instead of approving them. The 3 provinces begins once more discussing the Maritime Union project which would be a legislative rather then federative union.
- 1866: Undetered by the events in the maritimes, Canadian Premier Macdonald tables 15 resolutions in the assembly regarding a potential confederation. While most are passed with minor or no modifications, a sticking point arise over the rights of religious minorities in regard to education. Langevin, the solicitor general, propose to establish 2 superintendants in the future province of lower canada, one each for the protestants and catholics. Representative Bell from Canada east proposed the same for his province but a debate explode when other members refuse to agree, stating that the catholics of upper canada had no historical claim to such rights.
Pressure was put on Bell to withdraw his bill but representatives from canada east, seeing this as a snub, threaten to vote against Langevin's bill if there is to be no reciprocity. Macdonald and Cartier at first suggest to remove both but are then faced with Minister Galt threathening to resign if the rights of protestants in the future province of lower canada will not be protected by law. It is then suggested that the question be put on hold for a debate at a later date but a majority of representatives refuse to continue sitting until the matter is settled. Clearly at a deadlock and unable to continue with the work of the chamber, the event is seen as a motion of non-confidence, forcing new elections.
In the maritimes, the canadian tumult only exacerbate the people's negative view in regard to confederation. The locals fear that the difficulty in reaching a compromise is indicative of the instability facing the federation and that if a compromise could be reached, it might give too much power to the catholics. Maritime politicians continue with the idea of a union without canada when they meet to discuss the matter at the Fredericton Conference. Having agreed on the type of union wanted, an official petition is sent to the colonial ministry for advices on how to proceed next.
Back in Canada, the elections, despite including a number of parties and independants, is reduced to a contest between 2 camps: the pro and the anti confederationists with the later garnering the most seats. The leaders of the pro side try in vain to assemble a new coalition by promising compromises but it's the other side that manage to assemble one first. Dubbed the "Unholy Alliance" by its detractors due to the diametricaly opposed opinions of its members except on the subject of confederation, this new coalition offers the governor to form a government. Knowing that given the majority the government might move to disolve United Canada, the governor stall for time. Before anything is decided, the pro side sends a delegation to London in a last ditch attempt at saving the confederation ideal. Getting wind of this, the coalition sends one of their own.
The pro-confederation delegation met the colonial authorities first, their revised proposal was for a federation of 2 provinces (canada-east and canada-west) which could, in time, merge with the maritime union. This proposal was originaly met positively but some had reservation as to its stability considering the fracas over education. The anti-confederation group played on those fears and insinuating the posibility of an uprising and even annexion by the USA if it went through, they proposed instead the creation of 2 completely separate entities with responsible government which would at the very least satisfy the moderates. After much discussion, it was this proposal that was eventualy accepted.
A formal meeting, the London Conference, was called to hash out the exact organisation of the new north american polities which resulted in the British North America Declaration.
- 1867: After passing through the parliement and receiving royal assent, Toronto, Laurentia, the Maritime Union and Newfoundland became sovereign Dominions within the British Empire.