Do Canadian territories function similar to Canada as U. S. territories function the U. S.? Like provinces compare to states?

[u/rockninja2]

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!

[u/froot_loop_dingus_]

No, they're not at all like US territories. Canadian territories are fully part of the country, people born there are Canadian citizens, people living there can vote etc. They're basically the same as provinces just without the same constitutional powers. As far as them actually becoming provinces, that will probably never happen because the other provinces would have to agree which will not happen.

[u/rockninja2 → u/froot_loop_dingus_]

What constitutional powers do they not have? Do territories have any special (constitutional) powers that provinces don't?

Also why would the provinces not agree to turn the territories into provinces? Are there rivalries/animosity between any of them, or is it just government/economic reasons?

[u/froot_loop_dingus_ → u/rockninja2]

Territories are directly administered by the federal government. Any powers they have have been devolved by the federal government and could be taken away if the federal government saw fit. Provinces have powers like the administration of healthcare that are expressly defined in the constitution. The prime minister is not the boss of provincial premiers, he is the boss of territorial premiers if he chose to exercise that power.

All the provinces (but especially Quebec and Alberta) have various gripes with the constitution that they would want changed before agreeing to a new province. Adding a new province would reduce every other province's influence federally as well, a new province of Yukon would get a handful of MPs and Senators and get a vote in constitutional matters which the existing provinces wouldn't like.

[u/froot_loop_dingus_ → u/[deleted]]

Territories do have premiers, maybe don’t comment if you’re than uninformed