Settlement and Population: This region witnessed large-scale European settlement primarily from the late 1800s onwards. There was a growing influx of settlers from Eastern Canada and other parts of the world seeking new economic opportunities, free land, and fertile agricultural lands.
Economic Interests: The Canadian government recognized the potential of this region for agricultural development and resource extraction, particularly wheat farming and natural resource exploitation such as coal, oil, and minerals. Railroads were built to connect the region with the rest of Canada and facilitate transportation of agricultural products and resources to the global market.
Political and Administrative Considerations: The Dominion of Canada sought to create new provinces to ensure better governance, representation, and autonomy for the settlers in the region. The provinces were given provincial status to facilitate local decision-making and to establish responsible government, allowing them to handle matters such as education, land management, and resource development.
Cultural and Linguistic Diversity: The region experienced significant immigration during this period, which brought diverse cultural and linguistic backgrounds. However, societal pressures from the dominant English-speaking population influenced language and education policies, leading to tensions between different linguistic and cultural groups.
Land Policy and Homesteading: The federal government created policies to promote homesteading and settlement. Vast stretches of land were surveyed and offered at affordable prices to settlers who agreed to meet specific requirements for settling and cultivating the land. Land policies impacted how the land was used and shaped settlement patterns.
Boundaries and Territorial Disputes: Initially, the vast region was governed as the North-West Territories. The creation of Alberta and Saskatchewan involved negotiation and the drawing of boundaries to define the extent of each province.
Indigenous Relations: Indigenous peoples of the region already inhabited these lands, and their rights, relationships, and cultural practices had to be considered during the establishment of the provinces. Complex relationships and agreements were formed to address land rights and governance issues.
Natural Resource Royalties: The region had rich natural resources, and negotiations took place to determine how the revenues from resource exploitation would be allocated between the provinces and the federal government. This included negotiations over control and ownership of natural resources, impacting the economic and fiscal dynamics of the new provinces.
Overall, the creation of Alberta and Saskatchewan was shaped by a combination of economic, political, social, and cultural factors, as well as considerations related to settlement patterns, resource development, and the relationships with Indigenous peoples.
