Administrative divisions of Canada (Canadian Republic)

Canada's geography is divided into administrative divisions known as provinces, as well as a federal capital district, that are responsible for delivery of sub-national governance. When Canada was formed in 1867, three provinces of British North America—New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and the Province of Canada (which, on the formation of Canada, was divided into Ontario and Quebec)—were united to form a federated colony, which eventually became a sovereign republic in 1920. Over its history, Canada's international borders have changed several times, and the country has grown from the original four provinces to the current twelve provinces and federal capital district. The twelve provinces are Alberta, British Columbia, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, Quebec, and Saskatchewan, Arctica, and the West Indies. Several of the provinces were former British colonies, and Quebec was originally a French colony, while others were added as Canada grew. The federal district of Ottawa-Hull was created in 1941 out of former regions of Ontario and Quebec. Together, the provinces and Ottawa-Hull make up the world's second-largest country by area.

The major difference between a Canadian province and Ottawa-Hull is that provinces receive their power and authority from the Constitution Act, 1941, whereas Ottawa-Hull has powers delegated to it by the Parliament of Canada. The powers flowing from the Constitution Act are divided between the federal government and the provincial governments to exercise exclusively. A change to the division of powers between the federal government and the provinces requires a constitutional amendment, whereas a similar change affecting the capital district can be performed unilaterally by the Parliament of Canada or government.