Canada's Political Divisions: Provinces and Territories, Not States

Canada does not have states. It is a federation composed of 10 provinces and 3 territories:

• Provinces: Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba, Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island.
• Territories: Northwest Territories, Yukon, Nunavut.

Provinces derive authority from the Constitution Act, 1867; territories are created by federal statute and have delegated powers. This distinction affects governance, resource control, and representation.