Canadian Historical Events is a daily guide to the important events that shaped the country of Canada to what it is today. It is a compilation of significant events for the month of December including the birth and death of famous Canadians as well as laws promulgated by authorities. The list is constantly updated to incorporate the most recent events.
Canada Historical Events in December
| Day | Year | Event |
| 1 | 1883 | Opening of Battleford Industrial School in Battleford, Northwest Territories, the first residential school operated by the Government of Canada with the aim of assimilating Indigenous people into the society of the settlers. |
| 4 | 1915 | Pope Benedict XV raised the Diocese of Regina in Saskatchewan to an archdiocese and creates the new Archdiocese of Winnipeg in Manitoba. |
| 6 | 2001 | The Constitution of Canada was amended to change the province’s name to “Newfoundland and Labrador” |
| 8 | 1900 | Construction of the Holy Rosary Church in Vancouver was completed and opened to parishioners. |
| 9 | 1915 | Alfred Arthur Sinnott was appointed Archbishop of Winnipeg in Manitoba. |
| 11 | 1995 | Iqaluit was chosen in a plebiscite to become the capital of the territory of Nunavut. |
| 12 | 1894 | Death: John Sparrow David Thompson, the fourth prime minister of Canada. |
| 12 | 2003 | Paul Edgar Philippe Martin takes office as 21st prime minister of Canada. |
| 14 | 1863 | The Apostolic Vicariate of British Columbia was erected on territory split off from the Diocese of Vancouver Island. |
| 17 | 1841 | The Roman Catholic Diocese of Toronto was erected out of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Kingston. |
| 17 | 1874 | Birth: William Lyon Mackenzie King, the 10th prime minister of Canada |
| 17 | 1992 | The leaders of Canada, United States and Mexico signed the he North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA). |
| 21 | 1894 | Mackenzie Bowell was sworn in as fifth prime minister of Canada. |
| 25 | 1635 | Death: Samuel Champlain, the French explorer who played an important role in the early history of Canada. |
| 25 | 1971 | Birth: Justin Pierre James Trudeau, the 23rd prime minister of Canada |
| 26 | 1791 | Constitutional Act 1791 (formally known as Clergy Endowments (Canada) Act 1791) took effect. |
| 27 | 1823 | Birth: Mackenzie Bowell, the 5th prime minister of Canada |
| 28 | 1889 | The Roman Catholic Diocese of Kingston was elevated as the Metropolitan Archdiocese of Kingston in Ontario. |
| 29 | 1921 | William Lyon Mackenzie King starts his first term as prime minister of Canada |
| 31 | 1491 | Birth: Jacques Cartier, a French explorer who is considered as the first European to travel inland of what is now Canada. |
| 31 | 1857 | The city of Ottawa was designated as the capital of Canada through a letter from Queen Victoria upon the advice of Governor General Edmund Head. |
RELATED: Canadian Historical Events in January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November