Today Canada has ten provinces and three territories. However, back in 1867 when Canada first became a country it had only four provinces: New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Ontario and Quebec. After the first four provinces joined together to form Canada, it took 132 years before all the provinces and territories officially joined Canada.

This part of the Confederation exhibit gives the reasons each of these provinces and territories entered Confederation. They are listed in alphabetical order. The number after each province or territory shows the year it entered Confederation. Click on the name to be taken to the story of that province or territory.

Provinces and Territories

Alberta, 1905
British Columbia, 1871
Manitoba, 1870
New Brunswick, 1867
Newfoundland, 1949
Northwest Territories, 1870
Nova Scotia, 1867
Nunavut, 1999
Ontario, 1867
Prince Edward Island, 1873
Quebec, 1867
Saskatchewan, 1905
Yukon Territory, 1898