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NEWFOUNDLAND PROPOSED TO SELL LABRADOR TO QUEBEC?
March 4, 1924
Two reports in the Globe and Mail, Canada’s National Newspaper, in February 2009 suggested that Quebec's plan to develop hydroelectric power on the Romaine River could hit a stumbling block because of opposition from Newfoundland and Labrador, and because of tensions over the Quebec-Labrador boundary, which is near the proposed site. The boundary dispute has a long history.
The modern boundary argument began in 1902, when the Newfoundland government granted a lumber company license to harvest trees on both sides of the Hamilton River (now called the Churchill River). The Quebec government considered the southern part of the river to be part of Quebec, and complained to Canada's secretary of state. Newfoundland refused to cancel the license.
On March 4, 1924 Prime Minister Walter S. Monroe of Newfoundland proposed to sell Labrador to Quebec for $15 million provided that Newfoundland would retain rights to a three mile wide coastal zone for the use of fishermen.
Quebec’s Premier Taschereau declined Monroe’s offer to sell Newfoundland’s interests in Labrador. The Quebec leader saw no reason to pay for what he believed already rightfully belonged to his province and decided to take his chances with the Privy Council resolution to the dispute.
Deliberations began in October of 1926. In 1927 the Privy Council decided in Newfoundland's favour, a verdict accepted by Canada.
Archival fonds:
Archbishop Michael Francis Howley fonds Extracts from Acts and Documents concerning Labrador,106/23/2;106/23/3 and 106/23/4
Map Collection: 106-1-23
For more information on this and other related subjects contact the Archives of the R.C. Archdiocese. www.stjohnsarchdiocese.nf.ca
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Larry Dohey
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