Canadian history · Drawing 23 of 37
Newfoundland joins Canada
March 31, 1949
On March 31, 1949, just before midnight, Newfoundland, with Labrador, became Canada’s tenth province. The vote had been close: some people celebrated, others felt sad.
Look together
Where are the clock’s hands pointing?
An idea to try
On a map of Canada, find Newfoundland and Labrador together, then count the ten provinces with your finger.
For the adult reading along
A little more to discover
Bankrupted by the Great Depression, Newfoundland suspended responsible government in 1934 and accepted an unelected Commission of Government directed by Britain. In 1948, after two referendums, union with Canada, championed by Joey Smallwood, won on July 22 with 52.3% of the vote against a return to self-government. The union took effect at 11:59 p.m. on March 31, 1949. Outports held small celebrations, while in St. John’s, which had voted against, some people wore black ties. The Terms of Union did not mention Indigenous peoples: the Innu, Inuit and Mi’kmaq have since pursued long efforts to have their rights recognized.
The name Newfoundland and Labrador became official in 2001. Talk with your child about how it feels when a big decision does not please everyone.
Sources and context (3)
These links lead to other websites. Explore them with an adult. Source titles appear in their original language; some linked pages are in French.
- The Canadian Encyclopedia — Newfoundland and Labrador and ConfederationBankruptcy and Commission Government from 1934; 1948 referendums, Confederation winning the 22 July run-off with 52.34%; Smallwood led the Confederation side; 10th province on 31 March 1949; name changed to Newfoundland and Labrador in 2001.
- The Canadian Encyclopedia — Editorial: How the “Canadianized” Community of Newfoundland Joined CanadaNewfoundland became a province at 11:59 the night before 1 April 1949; small celebrations in the outports; St. John’s had voted for self-government; black ties and a few black flags at half-mast.
- The Canadian Encyclopedia — Treaties with Indigenous Peoples in Newfoundland and LabradorIndigenous peoples were omitted from the Terms of Union; land claims by the Innu Nation, Labrador Inuit and Mi’kmaq; the 2005 agreement that established the Nunatsiavut Government.
Source review: 2026-09-24. Illustrations simplify places and scenes; they are not historical documents.