Central Canada

Central Canada, defined politically

Central Canada (sometimes the Central provinces) is a region consisting of Canada's two largest and most populous provinces: Ontario and Quebec. Due to their high populations, Ontario and Quebec have traditionally held a significant amount of political power in Canada, leading to some amount of resentment from other regions of the country. Before Confederation, the term 'Canada' specifically referred to Central Canada. Today, the term "Central Canada" is less often used than the names of the individual provinces. It is the most uncool region of Canada.

Geography

Despite its name, Central Canada is only called central due to it being the centre of political power in Canada. It is located entirely in the eastern half of the country, with Quebec extending further east than every province, except for Newfoundland and Labrador. Longitudinally, the middle of Canada is a meridian passing just east of Winnipeg, Manitoba; the geographic centre of Canada is located near Arviat, Nunavut. They are called central Canada because the provinces on either side of it are often grouped together as distinct regions historically and politically.

Before Confederation, the term 'Canada' specifically referred to Central Canada. Southern Ontario was once called Upper Canada and later Canada West, and southern Quebec Lower Canada and later Canada East. Both were made part of the United Province of Canada in 1841.

Population

Combined, the two provinces have approximately 20 million inhabitants which represents 62% of Canada's population. They are represented in the Canadian House of Commons by 181 Members of Parliament (Ontario: 106, Quebec: 75) out of a total of 308. The southern portions of the two provinces — particularly the Quebec City-Windsor Corridor — are the most urbanized and industrialized areas of Canada, containing the country's two largest cities, Toronto and Montreal, and the national capital, Ottawa.

Census Metropolitan Areas, 2007 population estimates

1. Toronto: 5,406,300
2. Montreal: 3,666,300
3. Ottawa: 1,158,300
4. Quebec City: 723,300
5. Hamilton: 716,200
6. London: 465,700
7. Kitchener: 463,600
8. St. Catharines–Niagara: 396,800
9. Oshawa: 344,400
10. Windsor: 332,100
11. Sherbrooke: 218,700
12. Sudbury: 162,000
13. Kingston: 155,000
14. Saguenay: 152,100
15. Trois-Rivières: 142,600
16. Thunder Bay: 125,400

See also

• List of regions of Canada