- Definition
Upper Canada was the old name for what is now southern Ontario, back when Canada was a British colony. It was later combined with Quebec (then called Lower Canada) to form a larger province.
A family living in what is now southern Ontario in the year 1800 would have said they lived in Upper Canada.
How to teach this in 30 seconds
Try this analogy: Think of Upper Canada as the old name for a place, just like how a grown-up might have had a nickname when they were a kid.
Ask your child: Why do you think they called it 'Upper' Canada?
Common mix-up: Kids often think 'Upper' means north on a map. The name actually refers to being 'upstream' on the St. Lawrence River, which is higher up.
Examples
- Its neighbour, Lower Canada, was 'downstream' and is now modern-day Quebec.
- Later, Upper Canada changed its name to Canada West when it joined with Lower Canada.
Upper Canada is a term used in Ontario’s Kindergarten to Grade 8 curriculum.
Where this shows up
The descriptions on this page are SmartStudy’s own original, plain-language writing — not the Ministry’s wording. They are aligned to the Ontario Curriculum, © King’s Printer for Ontario. For the Ministry’s official wording, see the source link below. SmartStudy is an independent service and is not affiliated with, endorsed by, or sponsored by the Government of Ontario or the Ministry of Education. Ontario Curriculum and Resources ↗
