Canada became a country on July 1, 1867, through the British North America Act, passed by the British Par-

liament. This act united three colonies—Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, and the Province of Canada (which

was then divided into Ontario and Quebec)—into a new, self-governing nation within the British Empire,

known as the Dominion of Canada.

This event is known as Confederation and marked the official beginning of Canada as a country.

How the Provinces and Territories joined Confederation

Over time, other provinces and territories joined or were created:

Manitoba joined in 1870, carved from part of Rupert’s Land and the Northwest Territories. British Columbia joined in 1871, motivated in part by a promise to build a transcontinental railway. Prince Edward Island joined in 1873 after initially declining to join in 1867. Alberta and Saskatchewan became provinces in 1905, created from the Northwest Territories. Newfoundland and Labrador was the last province to join, entering Confederation in 1949 after a public vote.

The Northwest Territories has existed since 1870, but its size has changed over time as provinces were

created. Yukon was established as a separate territory in 1898 following the Klondike Gold Rush. Nunavut was officially separated from the Northwest Territories in 1999, becoming Canada’s third territory.

Canada’s founding fathers wanted a country that balanced local control with a strong central government. The term “Dominion” was used until the mid-20th century when simply “Canada” became the common usage.

Canada gained full legal independence from Britain in 1982, with the patriation of the Constitution and the adoption of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms.

Today, Canada is made up of 10 provinces and 3 territories, each with its own government and responsibili-

ties, but all united under a federal system.