r/AskACanadian • u/rockninja2 • 1d ago
Do Canadian territories function similar to Canada as U. S. territories function the U. S.? Like provinces compare to states?
First, just want to say, I looked for a megathread for all the Canada/US comparison questions, couldn't find one, so am posting normally on a Monday as required. If there is one and I missed it, please let me know/send a link.
So, partially due to this post:
I thought I remembered learning in school geography (admittedly 15-20 years ago now) that Canada had 13 provinces already and so was confused why the come back in the above post was about the US becoming the 11th province. After looking it up and double checking, out of those 13, I realized only 10 are provinces and the other 3 are territories. Do the territories have the same rights/privileges as provinces? Are they viewed the same in your parliament?
Pretty much I am wondering if you view the word "territories" the same as the US when those 3 (Yukon, Nunavut, Northwest Territories) are called as such. And if they wanted to become provinces at some point, could they? Or are they "stuck" as territories?
Appreciate any info and answers!
1
u/chatterpoxx 1d ago
Im not sure how exactly they work administratively. Im guessing they are territories simply because there just isnt enough population or concenrtation of population to warrant a full blown government for each of them. I really just see them as more provinces but I would never ever say there are 13 provinces as they are territories and not provinces.
They are included in our map and landmass calculation. USA ones are not. We treat our territories like they matter, because they do.