- CA QUA02315
- Corporate body
- n.d.
The British government stationed British Army regiments in Canada for its defence from the close of the Seven Years' War (1763) until 1871. Generally, these forces were garrisoned in fortifications such as those found in Quebec, Kingston and Halifax and could be augmented from time to time by reinforcements from Britain in response to war scares, rebellion and war itself. As well, a permanent fleet base was maintained in Halifax for the Royal Navy.
In the late 1860s, the British government decided that as colonial governments were now responsible for governing their own territory, they should also be responsible for their own defence. By 1871, all British garrisons had been removed, either returning to Britain or sent to duty in other Imperial outposts.