Following Confederation in 1867, Britain began to withdraw its military forces from Canada, transferring defense responsibilities to the Canadian federal government. This led to the establishment of a permanent military force in Canada, marking the end of over a century of reliance on British military support and the beginning of military professionalization in the country.
For more than a hundred years after the Seven Years’ War (1756–1763), the British Army and Royal Navy defended British North America, supported by local militias and First Nations allies. Following Confederation, the Canadian government expected continued reliance on Britain, despite the reduction of British troops in Canada from approximately 15,700 in 1867 to 4,000 in 1869. By 1871, Britain had withdrawn all its forces, except for garrisons in Halifax, Nova Scotia, and Esquimalt, British Columbia.
Despite minimal popular or political support for a standing army, Canada established the foundational elements of a permanent force. Garrisons were set up at Fort Henry in Kingston and the Québec Citadel to train officers and men and manage the fortifications, armaments, and stores left by the British. In 1876, the Royal Military College of Canada was established, and the Militia Act of 1883 expanded the permanent force, authorizing the formation of new cavalry, artillery, and infantry schools.
The designation process under Parks Canada’s National Program of Historical Commemoration is largely driven by public nominations. To date, over 2,240 designations have been made nationwide.
