This is the longest chapter and the biggest source of test questions. It runs from the first peoples and European explorers through the growth of democracy, Confederation in 1867 and the Canadian Pacific Railway.
Key facts to know
Vikings reached Labrador and Newfoundland about 1,000 years ago. L’Anse aux Meadows is a World Heritage site.
John Cabot was the first to map Canada’s East Coast, in 1497.
Jacques Cartier made three voyages between 1534 and 1542 and claimed the land for King Francis I of France. The name Canada comes from the Iroquoian word kanata, meaning “village.”
The first elected assembly met in Halifax in 1758. Prince Edward Island followed in 1773 and New Brunswick in 1785.
The Constitutional Act of 1791 split Quebec into Upper Canada (later Ontario) and Lower Canada (later Quebec) and gave them elected assemblies.
Upper Canada, led by John Graves Simcoe, moved first in the British Empire toward abolishing slavery in 1793. Britain abolished slavery throughout the Empire in 1833. The Underground Railroad brought many escaped slaves to Canada.
Nova Scotia was the first colony to achieve responsible government, in 1847–48. Under it, a government that loses a confidence vote in the assembly must resign.
Sir Leonard Tilley suggested the name Dominion of Canada in 1864, inspired by Psalm 72.
Canada was created on July 1, 1867 by the British North America Act. The original provinces were Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. July 1 was called Dominion Day until 1982 and is now Canada Day.
British Columbia joined in 1871 after Ottawa promised a railway. The last spike of the Canadian Pacific Railway was driven on November 7, 1885.
Chinese workers helped build the railway, then faced discrimination including the Head Tax. The Government of Canada apologized in 2006.
Test tip: Make a timeline: 1497, 1534, 1758, 1791, 1847–48, 1867, 1871, 1885. Dates and “first” questions come up often.
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These notes summarize the official Discover Canada guide in our own words. Always check the current edition of the guide on canada.ca. Discover Canada Prep is independent and not affiliated with IRCC.