Charles Jost Burchell
Encyclopedia
Charles Jost Burchell, PC
(1 July 1876 – 12 August 1967) was a Canadian
diplomat. He served as Canada's first High Commissioner
to Australia
from 1939 to 1941 and as Canada's first and last High Commissioner
to the Dominion of Newfoundland
serving from 1941 to 1944 and again from 1948 to 1949.
Burchell also raised the possibility of the island, which was then ruled by a British appointed Commission of Government
, might join Canadian Confederation
following the war. He "quietly sounded out prominent St. John’s citizens on Confederation and quietly encouraged St. John’s lawyer John McEvoy to promote publicly Confederation between the two countries." Burchell concluded that the restoration of responsible government
by Britain may have to occur before the island would consider joining Canada.
Jost's initial term as High Commissioner was from 1941 to 1944 when he was succeeded by James Macdonald however, he would serve a second sojourn from 1948 to 1949.
The mission remained following the war in order to deal with the withdrawal of American troops, negotiate a 99 year lease for a Canadian military airbase at Goose Bay
and, ultimately, to negotiate Newfoundland's entry into Canadian Confederation
following the 1948 Newfoundland referendums
. Jost was sent back to Newfoundland in 1948 in order to negotiate the British colony's terms of union with Canada
.
The High Commission was closed on March 31, 1949, shortly before Newfoundland officially became a Canadian province. On April 1, 1949, Buchell was named to the Queen's Privy Council for Canada
in recognition of his work as High Commissioner.
Queen's Privy Council for Canada
The Queen's Privy Council for Canada ), sometimes called Her Majesty's Privy Council for Canada or simply the Privy Council, is the full group of personal consultants to the monarch of Canada on state and constitutional affairs, though responsible government requires the sovereign or her viceroy,...
(1 July 1876 – 12 August 1967) was a Canadian
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
diplomat. He served as Canada's first High Commissioner
High Commissioner
High Commissioner is the title of various high-ranking, special executive positions held by a commission of appointment.The English term is also used to render various equivalent titles in other languages.-Bilateral diplomacy:...
to Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
from 1939 to 1941 and as Canada's first and last High Commissioner
High Commissioner
High Commissioner is the title of various high-ranking, special executive positions held by a commission of appointment.The English term is also used to render various equivalent titles in other languages.-Bilateral diplomacy:...
to the Dominion of Newfoundland
Dominion of Newfoundland
The Dominion of Newfoundland was a British Dominion from 1907 to 1949 . The Dominion of Newfoundland was situated in northeastern North America along the Atlantic coast and comprised the island of Newfoundland and Labrador on the continental mainland...
serving from 1941 to 1944 and again from 1948 to 1949.
Burchell also raised the possibility of the island, which was then ruled by a British appointed Commission of Government
Commission of Government
The Commission of Government was a non-elected body that governed Newfoundland from 1934 to 1949...
, might join Canadian Confederation
Canadian Confederation
Canadian Confederation was the process by which the federal Dominion of Canada was formed on July 1, 1867. On that day, three British colonies were formed into four Canadian provinces...
following the war. He "quietly sounded out prominent St. John’s citizens on Confederation and quietly encouraged St. John’s lawyer John McEvoy to promote publicly Confederation between the two countries." Burchell concluded that the restoration of responsible government
Responsible government
Responsible government is a conception of a system of government that embodies the principle of parliamentary accountability which is the foundation of the Westminster system of parliamentary democracy...
by Britain may have to occur before the island would consider joining Canada.
Jost's initial term as High Commissioner was from 1941 to 1944 when he was succeeded by James Macdonald however, he would serve a second sojourn from 1948 to 1949.
The mission remained following the war in order to deal with the withdrawal of American troops, negotiate a 99 year lease for a Canadian military airbase at Goose Bay
Goose Bay
Goose Bay may refer to:* Happy Valley – Goose Bay, Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada* Goose Bay , Canada...
and, ultimately, to negotiate Newfoundland's entry into Canadian Confederation
Canadian Confederation
Canadian Confederation was the process by which the federal Dominion of Canada was formed on July 1, 1867. On that day, three British colonies were formed into four Canadian provinces...
following the 1948 Newfoundland referendums
Newfoundland referendums, 1948
The Newfoundland Referendums of 1948 were a series of two referendums to decide the political future of the Dominion of Newfoundland. Before the referendums, Newfoundland was in debt and went through several delegations to determine whether the country would join Canada, remain under British rule...
. Jost was sent back to Newfoundland in 1948 in order to negotiate the British colony's terms of union with Canada
Canada
Canada is a North American country consisting of ten provinces and three territories. Located in the northern part of the continent, it extends from the Atlantic Ocean in the east to the Pacific Ocean in the west, and northward into the Arctic Ocean...
.
The High Commission was closed on March 31, 1949, shortly before Newfoundland officially became a Canadian province. On April 1, 1949, Buchell was named to the Queen's Privy Council for Canada
Queen's Privy Council for Canada
The Queen's Privy Council for Canada ), sometimes called Her Majesty's Privy Council for Canada or simply the Privy Council, is the full group of personal consultants to the monarch of Canada on state and constitutional affairs, though responsible government requires the sovereign or her viceroy,...
in recognition of his work as High Commissioner.