History of Newfoundland political-status movements

Sources for this page

Each number marks a specific claim. Notes give the source, its locator and how it relates to the claim.

1. 1.

   Claim: In two 1948 referendums, Newfoundlanders chose between continuing the Commission Government, returning to responsible self-government as an independent dominion, or joining Canada; the independence option won a plurality in the first round, but the Confederation-with-Canada option won the run-off vote with 52.3% support.

   • 1948 Newfoundland referendums (Wikipedia) link, Referendum results section. Source record
2. 2.

   Claim: Newfoundland entered Canadian Confederation on 31 March 1949, becoming the tenth province of Canada.

   • April 1, 1949: The day Newfoundlanders decided for themselves to enter Confederation (The Globe and Mail) link, Confederation date section. Source record
3. 3.

   Claim: Contemporary Newfoundland separatist sentiment persists periodically, associated with the Pink, White and Green flag (also called the flag of the "Republic of Newfoundland and Labrador"), but has been characterized in Canadian journalistic reporting as more a form of cultural expression than an organised, electorally active political movement; unscientific, self-selected call-in and online polls reporting high support figures are not treated here as rigorous survey data, and no organised secessionist political party comparable to the Parti acadien is documented in the sources reviewed.

   • Newfoundland separatist sentiment on the rise (CBC News) link, Sentiment characterization section. Source record