History Browser

In 1849, responsible government came to Canada, and Canadian politicians now made many decisions, instead of the British Governor-General. The Canadians preferred to leave the cost of defence up to Britain, but did appoint a commission to study militia reform in 1854.

The governor’s influence extended locally, regionally and across the continent.

Lieutenant-Colonel William D. Otter became the first Canadian-born officer to command this country’s military. As commanding officer of the 2nd Battalion, Royal Canadian Regiment of Infantry in South Africa, his no nonsense, no frills approach to soldiering brought him into conflict with the less disciplined ways of his officers and men, but his austere professionalism got results.

Recommended as the best man in Canada to lead a unit in South Africa by the North West Mounted Police, Samuel B. Steele took command of Strathcona’s Horse in 1899. After taking the unit back to Canada early in 1901, Steele returned to South Africa that same year to command a division of the South African Constabulary until 1906. He later commanded Canadian formations in England during the First World War.

The 1846 Militia Act led to a genuine effort to revive the militia as an institution amongst the Francophone population of Canada East. For the first time since the 1820s, efforts were made to appoint French-speaking officers in militia units where most of the men spoke French.

As an island state, Britain gave priority to its navy. The Admiralty (the appointed committee of admirals which made all strategic decisions) governed hundreds of ships worldwide. The Royal Navy used its bases in Canada to help control the Northern Atlantic and Pacific oceans.

It took yet another American border crisis in 1845 to prompt Canadian politicians to try to reform the militia. Terrified by news of United States expansionism in Texas and Mexico, the politicians created a new Militia Act in 1846, promoting the concept of volunteer military units.

In 1763, France lost Canada to England. Henceforth, British governors presided over the colony on behalf of the English king

New Brunswick and Prince Edward Island lacked a strong British garrison during the mid-19th century to inspire their militia. Still, especially in New Brunswick, efforts were made to keep the institution viable, and volunteer companies were supported by the government after 1859.

Founded in 1608 by Samuel de Champlain, Quebec City was the capital of the French colony until 1759, when British troops conquered it. The city and the colony were brought into the British empire in 1763 by the treatise of Paris. Canada and the city of Quebec remained an English colony until the confederation of Canada in 1867