A Look at Canada

Canada’s History and Symbols

Key Words Confederation Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms British North America Act Governor General Constitution Head of State

Confederation

On July 1, 1867, the provinces we now know as Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia joined together to create the new country of Canada. This is known as Confederation. Confederation was made official by the British North America Act of 1867.

As time passed, other provinces and territories joined Confederation and became part of Canada.

Dates when provinces and
territories joined Confederation

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

When did your province or territory join Confederation?

The maple leaf

The maple leaf is a popular symbol of Canada. It was used as a symbol of Canada as early as 1700. It is on the penny, our one-cent coin, where its design has hardly changed since 1937.

Since February 15, 1965, a red maple leaf has been on the national flag of Canada. It has become our most prominent symbol.

Peace Tower, Centre Block, Parliament Hill, Ottawa, Ontario.

The Parliament buildings

The Parliament buildings are in Ottawa, Ontario, the capital of Canada. The tower in the centre of the buildings is called the Peace Tower.

Canada’s first Prime Minister

In 1867, Sir John A. Macdonald became the first Prime Minister of Canada. His picture is on the ten-dollar bill.

Canada’s Constitution

Canada’s Constitution is the system of laws and conventions that we Canadians use to govern ourselves. Until 1982, changes to the Constitution had to be approved by the British Parliament. The Constitution Act, 1982 gave the Parliament of Canada the power to change our Constitution. The Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms also became part of the Canadian Constitution in 1982.

Canada Day

Each year on July 1, we celebrate Canada Day, the anniversary of Confederation.

The Queen

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II.

Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is the Queen of Canada and Canada’s Head of State. This means that the Queen is the formal head of Canada. The Governor General is the Queen’s representative in Canada. The provinces also have representatives of the Queen, known as lieutenant governors.

 

Where does the name Canada come from? In 1535, two Aboriginal youths used the Huron-Iroquois word “kanata,” which means “village” or “settlement,” to tell Jacques Cartier the way to Stadacona (site of present-day Québec City). Cartier used “Canada” to refer not only to Stadacona, but also to the entire area subject to Donnacona, Chief at Stadacona. By 1547, the first world map to show the discoveries made on Cartier’s second voyage applied the word “Canada” to the area north of the St. Lawrence gulf and river. By 1550, maps were also placing the name south of the river. The first use of “Canada” as an official name came in 1791 when the Constitutional Act (or Canada Act) divided Quebec, then considerably larger, into the provinces of Upper Canada and Lower Canada. In 1841, they were united to become the Province of Canada. At the time of Confederation, the new country took the name of Canada.

 

Canada’s national anthem

O Canada O Canada! Our home and native land! True patriot love in all thy sons command With glowing hearts we see thee rise The true North strong and free! From far and wide, O Canada We stand on guard for thee God keep our land glorious and free! O Canada, we stand on guard for thee O Canada, we stand on guard for thee