Whether or not Newfoundland should leave the clutches of Mother England or stay and struggle was debated from 1867 until 1949. Clearly, joining Canada was a difficult decision faced by Newfoundland during their time of need. Although some believed the welfare of the colony would be enriched by entering this union due to their isolation, many believed Newfoundland’s colony would be harmed by the federation due to an increase on imposed taxes. Joining the mainland would mean they would no longer be alone, making improved public services, a stronger economy, and greater investments a more attainable and realistic goal for Newfoundland (Confederation Rejected: Newfoundland and the Canadian Confederation”). Despite the help provided to Newfoundland from the government of Britain, who was beginning to lose interest in the colony, Newfoundland continued to suffer with poor living standards and increasing debt which is evident when examining their welfare, education system, and economy making their decision to join Canada as a province in 1949 vital and necessary. A high mortality rate and not enough hospital beds were major issues in Newfoundland before the confederation. How would this island colony help the welfare of its residents if it were not for Canada? In 1934, Newfoundland had a mortality rate of 12.7% compared to Canada’s 9.5% (Baker). They needed help and fast and evidently Canada’s health care was already well ahead, making them a possible, and clear, solution to this dilemma. It was only thanks to Canada and the United States that Newfoundland was able to increase their number of hospitals after World War II when they withdrew from their army bases they had set up in the colony, leaving behind their military hospitals which began being used for civilian use (“Health Care: The Commission of Government”). Around the same time, nutrition among the citizens of Newfoundland was extremely poor. The Commission tried to improve this by giving out free cocoamalt (Baker)