Which province was split into two at Confederation?

What should you know about this topic?

At Confederation on July 1, 1867, the Province of Canada was split into two new provinces: Ontario and Quebec. Together with Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, they formed the four original provinces of the Dominion of Canada.

The history of this division goes back several decades. In 1791, the British Parliament divided the old Province of Quebec into Upper Canada, which was mostly English-speaking and Protestant and later became Ontario, and Lower Canada, which was mostly French-speaking and Catholic and later became Quebec. After rebellions in both colonies in 1837 and 1838, Lord Durham recommended uniting them. In 1840, Upper and Lower Canada were joined into a single colony called the Province of Canada. This was the colony where Louis-Hippolyte La Fontaine and Robert Baldwin worked together to achieve responsible government in 1849.

By the 1860s, political deadlock in the Province of Canada was one of the reasons leaders wanted a new arrangement. Confederation created a federal system that let Ontario and Quebec each manage local matters such as education and civil law, while sharing a national government. Related test topics include the Fathers of Confederation, the meaning of Confederation, responsible government, and Central Canada. Remember the order of events: 1791, 1840, and then 1867. This history explains why Ontario and Quebec, though neighbours, have different legal traditions, such as Quebec's civil code. It also explains why Quebec has a mainly French-speaking population.

Why are the other answers wrong?

• Lower Canada: Lower Canada was an earlier colony that became part of the Province of Canada in 1840. At Confederation its area became Quebec, but it was not the province that was split.
• Newfoundland: Newfoundland did not join Confederation in 1867. It joined Canada much later, in 1949.
• Upper Canada: Upper Canada was an earlier colony that became part of the Province of Canada in 1840. Its area became Ontario, but it was not the province split in 1867.

What is the most common mistake?

Many learners choose Upper Canada or Lower Canada. Those were earlier colonies that had already been united in 1840; the province split in 1867 was the Province of Canada.

How can you remember the answer?

1791 split, 1840 joined, 1867 split again: the Province of Canada became Ontario and Quebec.