When Newfoundland Joined Confederation 11:59 p.m., March 31, 1949 They were the last to join the party, and not everyone wanted to join. A narrow majority—52 per cent—voted to become the 10th province of Canada. On April 1, Newfoundlanders woke up as Canadians and Joey Smallwood declared himself the last Father of Confederation. [Credit: HeritageHockeyHSC] …