Claim: Canada was the location of a French colony.

Canada 's geography is divided into administrative divisions known as provinces and territories 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 -LRB- which , on the formation of Canada , was divided into Ontario and Quebec -RRB- -- were united to form a federated colony , which eventually became a sovereign nation in the next century . Over its history , Canada 's international borders have changed several times , and the country has grown from the original four provinces to the current ten provinces and three territories . The ten provinces are Alberta , British Columbia , Manitoba , New Brunswick , Newfoundland and Labrador , Nova Scotia , Ontario , Prince Edward Island , Quebec , and Saskatchewan . Several of the provinces were former British colonies , and Quebec was originally a French colony , while others were added as Canada grew . The three territories are Northwest Territories , Nunavut , and Yukon , which govern the rest of the area of the former British North America . Together , the provinces and territories make up the world 's second-largest country by area .   The major difference between a Canadian province and a territory is that provinces receive their power and authority from the Constitution Act , 1867 -LRB- formerly called the British North America Act , 1867 -RRB- , whereas territorial governments have powers delegated to them 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 territories can be performed unilaterally by the Parliament of Canada or government .   In modern Canadian constitutional theory , the provinces are considered to be co-sovereign divisions and each province has its own `` Crown '' represented by the lieutenant governor . The territories are not sovereign , but simply part of the federal realm , and have a commissioner who represents the federal government .   __ TOC __