“He shall have dominion also from sea to sea, and from the river unto the ends of the earth.”

Psalm 72:8

Did you know that our nation was founded as the “Dominion of Canada“, inspired by Psalm 72:8? Discover our true history and why restoring it is essential to preserving our freedoms, and Canada’s Christian heritage. Print and share The History of the Dominion of Canada resource to educate family and friends and please hand out copies at July 1st celebrations!

As the Fathers of Confederation gathered in 1864–1867 to shape Canada, New Brunswick Premier Sir Samuel Leonard Tilley, a committed Christian, read Psalm 72:8 during his morning devotions. Deeply moved, he proposed naming the new nation the Dominion of Canada. His fellow delegates accepted the suggestion, and on July 1, 1867, our country was born as The Dominion of Canada.

The word “Dominion” was deliberate. It reflected the founders’ conviction that Canada would be a nation under God, governed according to principles rooted in the Judeo-Christian faith. Our national motto, A Mari Usque Ad Mare (“From Sea to Sea”), comes directly from this verse and is inscribed on our coat of arms, currency, and the Peace Tower of Parliament Hill.

For more than a century, July 1 was proudly celebrated as Dominion Day, honouring both our Confederation and the Christian heritage that shaped it.

In 1982, under Pierre Elliott Trudeau’s leadership, a private member’s bill to rename Dominion Day as Canada Day passed in Parliament with only twelve Members present, without meaningful debate, national consultation, or public input. To many, it seemed a small administrative change. It was not. Names and symbols matter. This shift was part of a broader, incremental effort to undermine Canada’s foundational Christian roots.

Yet the evidence of that heritage remains unmistakable. Twenty-five Scripture verses are carved into stone, etched into windows, and featured throughout the Parliament Buildings—enduring reminders of the principles upon which our nation was built.

Canada’s success as one of the freest, most prosperous, and most stable nations in the world did not happen by accident. The core principles that defined our system of governance—freedom under the rule of law, responsible government, equality before the law, the inherent dignity of every individual, and the protection of our unalienable, God-given rights—were profoundly shaped by the Judeo-Christian Biblical principles embraced by our founders. This rich heritage, rooted in British parliamentary democracy, the Magna Carta, and English common law, created a system that placed limits on government power and exalted the rights and freedoms granted by God. It is this foundation that has historically set Canada apart from systems of governance based on absolute state authority or those built upon false gods—ideologies that ultimately place both the state and its people under powers that stand in opposition to the Creator.

Even our national anthem bears witness. The original French lyrics of O Canada, written in 1880, openly declare:

O Canada! Land of our forebears,
Your brow is crowned with glorious wreaths.
For your arm knows how to wield the sword,
And it knows how to carry the Cross.
Your history is an epic
Of the most brilliant exploits.
And your valour, tempered by faith,
Will protect our homes and our rights.

These words are not incidental. They reveal how deeply Christianity was woven into Canada’s identity from the beginning—the understanding that true strength, freedom, and national endurance are inseparable from reverence for God.

This Dominion Day, we invite all Canadians to rediscover the true history of our nation. The vision of our founders was clear: Canada was established as a Judeo-Christian nation, built upon enduring Biblical principles and committed to ordered liberty under God. That heritage belongs to every Canadian—and it is ours to defend, preserve, and pass on to future generations.

God Keep Our Land Glorious and Free!