1881 in Canada

Full date unknown

• Manitoba's boundaries are extended north, east and west. Ontario disputes the eastward extension.

Births

• January 2 – Frederick Varley, artist and member of the Group of Seven (d.1969)
• January 20 – Fred Dixon, politician (d.1931)
• March 18 – Oliver Seibert, professional ice hockey player (d.1944)
• June 17 – Tommy Burns, only Canadian born world heavyweight champion boxer (d.1955)
• September 27 – James Ralston, lawyer, soldier, politician and Minister (d.1948)
• October 23 – Al Christie, film director, producer and screenwriter (d.1951)
• November 4 – Hector Authier, politician, lawyer and news reporter/announcer (d.1971)
• November 19 – Robert James Manion, politician (d.1943)
• December 20 – Télesphore-Damien Bouchard, politician (d.1962)
• December 29 – George Washington Kendall (d.1921)
• December 31 – Albert Sévigny, politician (d.1961)
• December 31 – Elizabeth Arden (birth name, Florence Nightingale Graham), founder, Elizabeth Arden cosmetics (d.1966)

Deaths

• January 28 – Luc Letellier de St-Just, politician and 3rd Lieutenant Governor of Quebec (b. 1820)

Historical documents

John A. Macdonald expounds on CPR's troubled past and secure future in House of Commons speech

British editorial labels CPR and Canada bad investments

Wilfrid Laurier accuses Conservatives of "having sacrificed the public cause to personal cupidity"

Governor General speaks on prospects of Northwest Territories

Importance of steamboats to colonization along Saskatchewan River

Ojibwa entertain Governor General at Rat Portage (Kenora), Ont. (Note: racial stereotypes)

Chief Poundmaker tells Cree and Blackfoot legends to Governor General on tour

Colourful Blackfoot riders meet Governor General (Note: "savage" and other stereotypes)

Journalist describes beautiful Qu'Appelle Valley in gorgeous sunset

Nova Scotia woman tries to find a maid for $4/month, and describes some of the work

References