The Confederation Debates were discussions that took place in the 1860s among leaders in British North America, focusing on the unification of the provinces into a single nation. Key figures, such as John A. Macdonald and George-Étienne Cartier, argued for the benefits of forming the Dominion of Canada to improve governance, trade, and defense. These debates addressed various issues, including the distribution of powers between the federal and provincial governments, representation, and economic concerns. Ultimately, the discussions led to the British North America Act of 1867, which officially created Canada as a self-governing dominion within the British Empire.