Who we are? Where we live? How is this country organized? Here are some basics we all should know about the place we call now home! 🍁
Population
Canada’s population was 36,991,981 in the 2021 Census (source: Statistics Canada). By the first quarter of 2025, Statistics Canada estimates it will reach 41,548,787.
For such a vast territory, Canada has the lowest population density in the world… fewer than 4 people per km2. Just for context: the United States has 36 people per km2. Big difference, right?
Capital
Ottawa serves as Canada’s political heart and home to the federal government. The city hosts numerous foreign embassies, along with key institutions like the Parliament of Canada, the Supreme Court, the residence of Canada’s viceroy, and the Office of the Prime Minister (source: Wikipedia).
Provinces & Territories
Canada is both a country and a sovereign state. We have 13 administrative divisions: 10 provinces and 3 territories (source: Wikipedia).
| Province name | Abbreviation | Capital city | Largest city (if not the capital) |
| Alberta | AB | Edmonton | Calgary |
| British Columbia | BC | Victoria | Vancouver |
| Manitoba | MB | Winnipeg | |
| New Brunswick | NB | Fredericton | Moncton |
| Newfoundland and Labrador | NL | St. John’s | |
| Nova Scotia | NS | Halifax | |
| Ontario | ON | Toronto | |
| Prince Edward Island | PE | Charlottetown | |
| Quebec | QC | Quebec City | Montreal |
| Saskatchewan | SK | Regina | Saskatoon |
| Territory name | Abbreviation | Capital city | Largest city (if not the capital) |
| Yukon | YT | Whitehorse | |
| Nunavut | NU | Iqaluit | |
| Northwest Territories | NT | Yellowknife |
Government
Canada has three levels of government, and making sense of each one takes a bit of thought.
| Federal Government | Provincial and territorial governments | Municipal (City) governments |
| Who is the lead? Canada is a constitutional monarchy. This means: Canada does not have a “president”. Today, His Majesty King Charles III is King of Canada and he is Canada’s Head of State; the Prime Minister is the head of government. | Who is the lead? The Premier | Who is the lead? The Mayor |
| What are the main matters they deal with? Mail, taxes, money, banking, shipping, railways, pipelines, telephones, criminal law, foreign affairs, national defense, employment, insurance, Aboriginal lands and rights | What are the main matters they deal with? education, health care, road regulations | What are the main matters they deal with? Municipal governments run cities, towns or districts (municipalities), parks, parking, libraries, roadways, local police, local land use, fire protection, public transportation, community water systems |
(Source: Canada.ca)
Municipalities, Cities, and Towns
So far, we know Canada has 10 provinces and 3 territories. Now let’s break that down a bit further. Within each province or territory, we find municipalities, and their names can include terms like region, city, town, township, or village.
Municipalities act as subdivisions, with political and administrative authority over a specific area, which can include cities and towns.
These municipalities (whether called a city, town, or region) serve local residents and also provide essential community programs and services. Think waste management, water purification, paramedic services, financial assistance, and more. Confusing enough already?🤔
And here comes the classic question: what’s the difference between a town and a city? Officially, it’s all about population. If an area has 15,000 or more people, it qualifies as a city. But here’s the twist: with Canada’s growing population, many towns actually meet the criteria to be called cities, yet they still keep their “town” title.
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Good luck and may God bless you 💗
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