How many provinces formed the first Canadian federation in 1867? The answer is four.
The original provinces were Ontario, Quebec, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick. The Constitution Act, 1867 established the Dominion of Canada and divided the former Province of Canada into Ontario and Quebec, while Nova Scotia and New Brunswick retained their provincial identities.
This is different from the number of colonies that joined the union. Three participants entered Confederation: the Province of Canada, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick. Because the Province of Canada was split into two provinces, the new federation contained four provinces from its first day.
Canada’s map expanded later. Manitoba and the Northwest Territories entered in 1870, British Columbia joined in 1871, and Prince Edward Island joined in 1873. Alberta and Saskatchewan became provinces in 1905, while Newfoundland joined in 1949. Canada now has ten provinces and three territories.