1850 in Canada

Events from the year 1850 in Canada.

Incumbents

January 14 – Malcolm Cameron visits Washington, D.C. about a trade reciprocity agreement.
September 7 – After tense negotiations, the first of the Robinson Treaties, the Robinson-Superior Treaty, is signed. This treaty between William Benjamin Robinson and an assembly of Ojibwe chiefs from the shore of Lake Superior creates a system of Indian reserves and ultimately opens up the area to European settlement.
September 9 – The second of the Robinson Treaties, the Robinson-Huron Treaty, is signed between Robinson and the Ojibwe chiefs of Lake Huron. The Lake Huron chiefs, led by Shingwaukonse, are more resistant to the signing of the treaty as they are more familiar with the treaty system and are more threatened by encroachment from Europeans, as well as having tense relations with the Canada West government following the Mica Bay Incident.
October 11 – The St. Lawrence and Atlantic Railroad opens.

In the United States, the Fugitive Slave Act is passed. It provides that even free persons can be made a slave if suspected of being a runaway. As a result, more fugitive slaves and free Black persons come to Canada.
The site of John By's headquarters during the construction of the Rideau Canal is incorporated as Bytown.
Gold discovered in British Columbia, and coal on Vancouver Island.
The Canadian government passes the Railway Guarantee Act.

July 11 – John Augustus Barron, politician and lawyer
September 27 – William Pugsley, lawyer, politician and 10th Premier of New Brunswick
December 15 – Joseph-Alphonse Couture, veterinarian
December 31 – John Wycliffe Lowes Forster, artist