Macdonald managed to get permission for some delegates from United Canada to attend as observers. For a number of years, United Canada was experiencing problems of political deadlock . Canada West was predominantly English-speaking Canada East was predominantly French-speaking.

麦克唐纳设法得到许可让联合加拿大的一些代表作为观察员出席。多年来，联合加拿大都面临着政治僵局的难题。加拿大西部以说英语为主，而东部则以说法语为主。