The relationship between federal and provincial governments began with the passage of the British North America Act in 1867. Canada's first prime minister, John A. Macdonald, believed in a strong centralized government where the federal government would have the important powers.

Oliver Mowat

However, provincial premiers such as Oliver Mowat of Ontario and Honoré Mercier of Quebec became increasingly concerned about federal interference in areas that were under provincial jurisdiction. The federal government found itself embroiled in problem after problem with the provinces in particularly over the disallowance of provincial laws which the federal government thought were detrimental to the welfare of the country as a whole. Premier Mercier of Quebec made provincial rights and autonomy an important issue in Quebec.

 

In 1887, Honoré Mercier invited the premiers to meet at Quebec to discuss their grievances. This was the first of many inter-provincial conferences held in Canada's history.

Honoré Mercier