Social Studies: How Upper Canada became Ontario

The tutor spends most of his time on math and science.  This particular question has never been asked during tutoring; rather, it comes from personal curiosity.

While I’ve long known that Upper Canada is now Ontario, while Lower Canada is now Quebec, I’ve always wondered how the names Ontario and Quebec came about. The names Upper Canada and Lower Canada are easy to understand, since they relate to progress of the St. Lawrence River:  Upper Canada was proximal to its upper course, while Lower Canada straddled its lower course.

Due to problems chiefly in Upper Canada, it was merged with Lower Canada in 1841, resulting in the United Province of Canada.  Ontario and Quebec emerged thence in 1867.

Ontario, according to Wikipedia, is named after Lake Ontario; the name originates in either the Huron or Iroquois language.  Wikipedia also informs me that Quebec is the Algonquin name referring to the environs of Quebec City.

Clearly, much more needs to be discussed (in this blog) about the history of Canada. I look forward to livening it up in future posts:)

Sources:

Bowers, Vivian and Stan Garrod. Our Land: Building the West.  Toronto: Gage    Education Publishing Company, 1987.

Wikipedia: Province of Canada.

Stanford, Quentin H.,ed. The Canadian Oxford School Atlas, 6th edition. Toronto:           Oxford University Press.

Jack of Oracle Tutoring by Jack and Diane, Campbell River, BC.

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