Fathers of Confederation: Complete List of All 36 Names (Citizenship Test)

# Who Were the Fathers of Confederation? — Names to Know

The Fathers of Confederation are the political leaders from British North American colonies who negotiated the union that became Canada in 1867. The citizenship test names a small set of them as essential knowledge. This guide covers the must-know names and what each contributed.

For test purposes, these are the highest-priority names:

1. Sir John A. Macdonald (1815–1891)

Conservative leader from Canada West (Ontario). Chaired key negotiating sessions. Became Canada's first Prime Minister on July 1, 1867. The most prominent of the Fathers. See [Who Was Canada's First Prime Minister?](/blog/first-prime-minister-canada-john-a-macdonald).

2. Sir George-Étienne Cartier (1814–1873)

Conservative leader from Canada East (Quebec). The key French-Canadian architect of Confederation. Without his support, Quebec would not have joined and the union would have failed. He served as Macdonald's deputy and as a Father of the railway and the Northwest expansion.

3. George Brown (1818–1880)

Reform (later Liberal) leader from Canada West. Founder and editor of the *Globe* newspaper (later the *Globe and Mail*). Long opposed Macdonald politically but joined the Great Coalition of 1864 to make Confederation possible. Killed by a disgruntled former employee in 1880.

4. Sir Charles Tupper (1821–1915)

Premier of Nova Scotia. Brought Nova Scotia into Confederation despite considerable popular opposition in the colony. Later served briefly as Prime Minister (1896).

5. Sir Leonard Tilley (1818–1896)

Premier of New Brunswick. Brought NB into Confederation. He suggested the term "Dominion of Canada" — taken from Psalm 72:8: *"He shall have dominion also from sea to sea."* This is the source of Canada's motto *A Mari Usque Ad Mare* ("From Sea to Sea").

The full list (around 36) includes lesser-known but important figures:

• Étienne-Paschal Taché — President of the Quebec Conference; respected elder statesman
• Thomas D'Arcy McGee — Irish-Canadian poet-politician, assassinated in 1868
• Hector-Louis Langevin — Quebec Conservative, key on minority rights
• William McDougall — Reform leader, later Lieutenant-Governor
• John Hamilton Gray — Premier of PEI (briefly); host of the Charlottetown Conference

Confederation was negotiated at three conferences over 1864–1867:

Charlottetown Conference — September 1864

Originally a Maritime-Union meeting, expanded to include Canada delegates. Provided the political momentum for a wider union. Hosted by John Hamilton Gray of PEI.

Quebec Conference — October 1864

The 72 Resolutions adopted — the detailed framework for Confederation. The most substantive of the three conferences.

London Conference — December 1866 to March 1867

Final drafting of the British North America Act, in London with British government involvement. The Act passed Parliament in March 1867 and came into force July 1.

• A new federation of four provinces with provincial powers (under Section 92 of the BNA Act) and federal powers (under Section 91)
• Bilingual Parliament and federal courts (English and French)
• A representative House of Commons (by population) and Senate (by region)
• Protection for minority religious schools (Section 93)
• A pathway for other colonies to join later

Common test questions:

• "Who were the Fathers of Confederation?" → The political leaders who negotiated Canada's union in 1864–1867
• "Who was the most important Father?" → Sir John A. Macdonald
• "Who suggested the name 'Dominion of Canada'?" → Sir Leonard Tilley

Memorising 4–5 names plus the three conferences is enough to handle most Fathers-of-Confederation questions on the test. Try our [free Canadian citizenship practice test](/practice-test). For deeper context, see [Canadian Confederation 1867 Explained](/blog/canadian-confederation-1867-explained).