The first steps are never easy. Canada also felt it. The unfavourable Treaty of Washington sparked a fierce debate about relations with the United States. Challenges in Manitoba and New Brunswick inflamed passions between English and French. British Columbia joined the union on the condition of building the Pacific Railway. “Better terms” for Nova Scotia also raise many questions. These are vulnerabilities in the government that will be exploited to bring an alternative to Ottawa. Will Sir Macdonald stand or new PM will be elected? The parties will face a nearly 100-day campaign that will span from Halifax to Victoria.
