Territorial Evolution, 1895

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.

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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.

• Territorial Evolution, 1867 Map | Read about this map
• Territorial Evolution, 1870 Map | Read about this map
• Territorial Evolution, 1871 Map | Read about this map
• Territorial Evolution, 1873 Map | Read about this map
• Territorial Evolution, 1874 Map | Read about this map
• Territorial Evolution, 1876 Map | Read about this map
• Territorial Evolution, 1880 Map | Read about this map
• Territorial Evolution, 1881 Map | Read about this map
• Territorial Evolution, 1882 Map | Read about this map
• Territorial Evolution, 1886 Map | Read about this map
• Territorial Evolution, 1889 Map | Read about this map
• Territorial Evolution, 1897 Map | Read about this map
• Territorial Evolution, 1898 Map | Read about this map
• Territorial Evolution, 1901 Map | Read about this map
• Territorial Evolution, 1905 Map | Read about this map
• Territorial Evolution, 1912 Map | Read about this map
• Territorial Evolution, 1920 Map | Read about this map
• Territorial Evolution, 1927 Map | Read about this map
• Territorial Evolution, 1949 Map | Read about this map
• Territorial Evolution, 1999 Map | Read about this map
• Territorial Evolution, 1867 to 1999 Map | Read about this map

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• Territorial Evolution
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