[7][8] Sir John Alexander Macdonald became the first Prime Minister of the new Dominion.
At the time, the Canadian government was concerned about expansionist impulses of Canada's southern neighbor, the United States, and sought to increase the population and economic prosperity of Canada to be able to reduce the associated risks.
Settling the West would provide new markets for the output of industrial manufacturing in the East.
(Responsibility for legislating the controls had shifted from the former colonies to the Dominion as a result of the Canadian Confederation in 1867.
Special duties of quarantine officers: In accordance with the Quarantine and Health Act of 1868, the Medical Superintendent at the Quarantine Station at the port of entry, or a person appointed by the superintendent, was to examine all landing passengers to find any "Lunatic, Idiotic, Deaf and Dumb, Blind or Infirm Person" not belonging to an immigrant family, or anybody else deemed likely to permanently become a public charge.