Why Isn't Jamaica a Part of Canada?

💡In the 19th century, discussions took place on whether Jamaica and other Caribbean colonies should join the Canadian Confederation, but the idea did not gain enough support.

🌍Britain's attention was primarily focused on India, and it did not prioritize decision-making about its Caribbean territories.

💼Canadian Prime Minister Robert Borden declined the proposal to run the Empire's Caribbean colonies due to opposition from the Canadian people, who saw Empire as the cause of their involvement in World War I.

🔍Britain used a one-size-fits-all approach to decolonization in the Caribbean, known as boilerplate independence, which led to the formation and later fragmentation of the West Indies Federation.

🤝Talks took place between the Turks and Caicos Islands and Canada in the 1980s, driven by the islands' desire for better access to markets, but they lost momentum due to the focus on a free trade agreement with the United States.

Were there any discussions in the 19th century regarding Jamaica and other Caribbean countries joining Canada?

—Yes, there were some discussions in the 19th century on whether Jamaica and other Caribbean colonies should join the Canadian Confederation, but the idea did not gain enough support.

Why didn't Britain prioritize decision-making about its Caribbean territories?

—Britain's attention was primarily focused on India, as it was facing financial difficulties after World War I.

Why did Canadian Prime Minister Robert Borden decline the proposal to run the Empire's Caribbean colonies?

—Canadian Prime Minister Robert Borden declined the proposal due to opposition from the Canadian people, who saw Empire as the cause of their involvement in World War I.

What was boilerplate independence?

—Boilerplate independence refers to Britain's one-size-fits-all approach to decolonization in the Caribbean. It led to the formation and later fragmentation of the West Indies Federation.

Why did talks between the Turks and Caicos Islands and Canada lose momentum?

—Talks between the Turks and Caicos Islands and Canada lost momentum due to the focus on a free trade agreement with the United States, which took precedence in the Canadian political landscape.

00:00Jamaica is not a part of Canada, despite historical proposals for a union.

00:20In the 19th century, discussions took place on whether Jamaica and other Caribbean colonies should join the Canadian Confederation.

01:14Britain used a one-size-fits-all approach to decolonization in the Caribbean, known as boilerplate independence.

01:48Talks took place between the Turks and Caicos Islands and Canada in the 1980s, driven by the islands' desire for better access to markets.

03:19The idea of annexing a Caribbean island lost momentum, leaving Canada without its own 'Hawaii.'