[3] Burchell also raised the possibility of the island, which was then ruled by a British appointed Commission of Government, might join Canadian Confederation following the war.

Burchell concluded that the restoration of responsible government by Britain may have to occur before the island would consider joining Canada.

He attended Sydney Academy and Dalhousie University, read law, and was admitted to the Nova Scotia bar in April 1899.

[5] A keen curler,[6] Burchell represented Nova Scotia at the 1936 Macdonald Brier, Canada's men's curling championship, on a team skipped by Murray Macneill.

On 1 April 1949, Buchell was named to the King's Privy Council for Canada in recognition of his work as High Commissioner.