Birthplace of Confederation? Senator aims to make it official

P.E.I. Senator Diane Griffin will appear before a Senate committee to continue her push to have Charlottetown officially recognized as the birthplace of Confederation.

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Griffin's Bill S-236, An Act to Recognize Charlottetown as the Birthplace of Confederation, is currently at the committee stage. Griffin has already laid out her arguments in a speech during second reading in February.

In this room on September 1, 1864, was born the Dominion of Canada.- Province House plaque

Griffin quoted from a diverse range of sources, including a proclamation by then Prime Minister Jean Chretien in 1996, and an earlier reference by the legendary comedy duo Wayne and Schuster.

She noted this recognition goes back to 1914.

"On the 50th anniversary, a bronze plaque was presented by Canada to the province with the following inscription: 'In the hearts and minds of the delegates who assembled in this room on September 1, 1864, was born the Dominion of Canada. Providence being their guide, they builded better than they knew,'" she said.

Despite these acts of recognition, it has never been made official. In December, the P.E.I. government passed a resolution calling for the government of Canada to remedy that.

Griffin is scheduled to appear before the Senate Committee on Legal and Constitutional Affairsat 10:30 a.m. ET.

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