Canada
In 1895, the Arctic lands were transferred to Canada
through an act of the British Parliament, the Imperial Colonies Boundaries
Act, and four new districts were
established in the Northwest Territories. These were the districts
of Ungava, Mackenzie, Yukon and Franklin. At the same time, the existing
Districts of Athabaska and Keewatin were also enlarged.
[D] Click for larger version, 27 KB Photograph of Moose Factory on the Moose River
Districts
The Canadian government decided, in 1895, to divide all of the unorganized
and unnamed parts of Canada into provisional districts. These included
the parts of the Northwest Territories and the Arctic Islands not included
in the districts previously created. Four districts were created in the
Northwest Territories: Ungava, Yukon, Mackenzie and Franklin.
There were still two problem areas. The first one was north of the province
of Ontario and east of the district of Keewatin. This area was not a district,
and not part of either a district or a province. Some people thought it
should be part of the District of Keewatin, others thought it should be
included in the Province of Manitoba. Several proposals for possible boundaries
in the area were written. Finally, the boundary was decided and confirmed
by an Order of Council in 1895. The area was included in the District
of Keewatin.
A second problem area, which was not part of either a province or a
district, lay between the districts of Athabaska and Keewatin. These
lands were in the end added to the District of Athabaska, and its boundaries
were changed accordingly.
The animation Territorial
Evolution 1867 to 1999 shows sequentially the history of the
political boundary changes in Canada from Confederation to the creation
of Nunavut.
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