Territorial Evolution, 1895

View this map

---

Abstract

Ungava, Mackenzie, Yukon and Franklin are established in 1895 as additional districts in the Northwest Territories. The districts of Athabaska and Keewatin are enlarged.

Canada’s long and diversified settlement history is reflected in the two distinct patterns of boundaries that differentiate between eastern and western Canada. The eastern boundaries closely conform to natural features such as drainage basins, while the boundaries of western and northern Canada reflect the administrative organisation of these lands by, first, the Hudson’s Bay Company and later the Government of Canada.

---

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.

[D]
Click for larger version, 27 KB
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.