Why is Canada’s capital a city that was once dismissed as a backwoods lumber town? The story of how Ottawa became the nation’s capital is one of the most surprising political decisions in Canadian history—a choice that baffled contemporaries but proved remarkably wise.
When Queen Victoria selected Ottawa in 1857, she chose a small, rough settlement over far larger and more established cities. The decision changed Ottawa forever and shaped Canada’s future.
Key Highlights
TL;DR: Queen Victoria chose Ottawa as Canada’s capital on December 31, 1857, surprising everyone who expected Montreal, Toronto, Quebec City, or Kingston. Strategic location (far from US border, between English and French Canada) and political neutrality made Ottawa the compromise choice.
| Quick Facts | Details |
|---|---|
| 📅 Decision | December 31, 1857 |
| 📍 Chosen By | Queen Victoria |
| 🎟️ Previous Names | Bytown (until 1855) |
| ⏰ First Parliament | 1866 |
The Capital Question
A Nation Divided
In the 1850s, the Province of Canada (today’s Ontario and Quebec) faced a persistent problem: where should the capital be located?
The Rivals:
- Montreal - Largest, most sophisticated city
- Toronto - Growing commercial centre
- Quebec City - Historic French-Canadian stronghold
- Kingston - Strategic military location
Why It Was So Difficult
The capital question exposed deep divisions:
English vs. French:
- English Canadians wanted Toronto or Kingston
- French Canadians wanted Montreal or Quebec City
- Neither side would accept the other’s preference
Regional Jealousies:
- Each city lobbied intensively
- Political debates turned bitter
- The issue paralyzed government
- Four different cities had served as temporary capital
The Rotating Capital
Before Ottawa’s selection, the capital actually moved:
- Kingston (1841-1843)
- Montreal (1844-1849)
- Toronto (1849-1851)
- Quebec City (1851-1855)
- Toronto (1855-1859)
- Quebec City (1859-1865)
This absurd arrangement cost enormous sums and accomplished nothing. Something had to change.
Illustrative image only.
Queen Victoria Decides
Passing the Buck
In 1857, frustrated politicians did something clever—they asked Queen Victoria to choose. This removed the decision from Canadian politics and placed it in presumably neutral royal hands.
Five cities submitted bids:
- Montreal
- Toronto
- Quebec City
- Kingston
- Ottawa
The Surprise Selection
On December 31, 1857, Queen Victoria announced her choice: Ottawa.
The Reaction:
- Shock across Canada
- Mockery in newspapers
- Disbelief among politicians
- “Westminster in the Wilderness” critics sneered
One famous response: “Ottawa is a sub-Arctic lumber village converted into a political cockpit.”
Why Ottawa?
While Victoria never explained her reasoning publicly, historians identify several factors:
Strategic Location:
- Far from the American border (Kingston and Toronto were vulnerable)
- Located on the border between Upper and Lower Canada
- The Rideau Canal provided secure transportation
Political Neutrality:
- Not Montreal (wouldn’t offend Toronto)
- Not Toronto (wouldn’t offend Montreal)
- A true compromise location
- Neither English nor French could claim victory
Practical Advantages:
- Existing infrastructure (Rideau Canal, roads)
- Available land for government buildings
- Growing community with services
- Lumber wealth could support development
Building the Capital
Parliament Hill Construction
With the decision made, construction began immediately:
The Buildings:
- Centre Block (House of Commons, Senate)
- East Block (offices)
- West Block (offices)
- Gothic Revival architecture
- Local Nepean sandstone
Construction Timeline:
- 1859: Construction begins
- 1866: Buildings substantially complete
- November 1866: First session of Parliament
- Confederation in 1867: Ottawa becomes national capital
Challenges
Building the Parliament Buildings wasn’t easy:
- Remote location complicated supply chains
- Harsh winters limited construction season
- Costs exceeded estimates
- Fire destroyed portions during construction
- The Centre Block wouldn’t be fully complete until 1876
Gothic Revival Choice
The Gothic Revival architectural style was deliberately chosen:
- Connected Canada to British parliamentary tradition
- Evoked Westminster Palace in London
- Created imposing, permanent-looking structures
- Distinguished government buildings from commercial architecture
Illustrative image only.
Ottawa Transforms
From Lumber Town to Capital
The selection transformed Ottawa:
Population Growth:
- 1851: ~7,500 residents
- 1861: ~14,600 residents
- 1871: ~21,500 residents
Economic Change:
- Government became major employer
- Civil service created middle class
- Professional services expanded
- Lumber industry remained important but no longer dominant
Social Change:
- More diverse population
- Cultural institutions developed
- Education expanded
- Upper Town/Lower Town distinctions softened
The Confederation Moment
When the Dominion of Canada was created on July 1, 1867, Ottawa was ready:
- Parliament Buildings substantially complete
- Government bureaucracy established
- City infrastructure improved
- Hotel and service industry developed
Ottawa went from provincial capital to national capital overnight.
Was It the Right Choice?
Arguments For
Looking back, Ottawa proved a good choice:
- Central location served national unity
- Distance from border provided security
- Beautiful parliamentary setting emerged
- City grew into the role successfully
- Neither founding culture could claim dominance
Arguments Against
Some criticisms persist:
- Cold, harsh winters
- Small city lacks metropolitan amenities
- Government-dominated economy
- Less economically important than rivals
- Geographic isolation from major centres
The Verdict of History
Most historians consider Victoria’s choice wise:
- Ottawa has served successfully for over 160 years
- The compromise helped maintain national unity
- The city developed appropriate gravitas
- Strategic concerns proved valid
- Parliamentary precinct is internationally admired
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Did Queen Victoria ever visit Ottawa? A: No, Queen Victoria never visited Canada. Her son, the Prince of Wales (future Edward VII), laid the cornerstone of the Parliament Buildings in 1860.
Q: What was Ottawa called before? A: Ottawa was known as Bytown from 1826 to 1855, named after Colonel John By who founded the settlement.
Q: Why didn’t Montreal become the capital? A: Montreal was the largest city but was too identified with French Canada. Also, a mob had burned the Parliament building there in 1849 during political riots, demonstrating instability.
Q: Could the capital move again? A: Technically possible but extraordinarily unlikely. The infrastructure, traditions, and constitutional conventions make Ottawa’s status as capital essentially permanent.
Q: When did Ottawa officially become the capital? A: Queen Victoria chose Ottawa on December 31, 1857, for the Province of Canada. It became the capital of the new Dominion of Canada on July 1, 1867.
Final Thoughts
Queen Victoria’s choice of Ottawa as Canada’s capital was met with ridicule in 1857, but history has proven her decision remarkably astute. The “sub-Arctic lumber village” transformed into a dignified national capital that has served Canada well through Confederation, two world wars, and into the 21st century.
Ottawa’s selection demonstrates how sometimes the compromise choice—the option nobody’s first preference—can be the wisest decision. By choosing a neutral ground between English and French Canada, far from American influence, Victoria helped lay the groundwork for a unified nation.
Today, when you stand on Parliament Hill and gaze across the Ottawa River, you’re standing where a bold decision created a capital from wilderness. The Gothic spires that rise against the Canadian sky fulfill the vision of those who built them: a permanent, dignified home for Canadian democracy.
Source: Library and Archives Canada, Parliament of Canada, Historical Society of Ottawa - Compiled for Via Ottawa readers.
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