Ottawa as the capital

The question of a permanent seat for a federal government had exacerbated urban rivalries for years. John A. Macdonald and others settled the matter with an ingenious solution: in 1857 the problem was referred to Queen Victoria. The announcement of her choice – Ottawa – resulted in the fall of the Macdonald–Cartier government in July the following year. Within 48 hours it had returned to office by means of the controversial “double shuffle” manœuvre. Finally, in 1859, parliament decided in favour of the queen’s choice by a majority of five votes. When the new dominion of Canada was created, Ottawa remained the capital.