Upper Canada

Historic province, the forerunner of modern Ontario, created in 1791 from the western half of the Province of Québec, including lands west of the Ottawa River and south of Rupert's Land. Its capital was the city of York (modern Toronto). It was formally abolished in 1840.

Only sparsely populated before the American Revolution, the region that was to become Upper Canada soon became home to many Loyalists fleeing north after the colonial forces triumphed. They were encouraged to settle in the area by the British administration. The form of government established here since the 1774 Québec Act was unacceptable to these new residents, who demanded more American-style local democracy; accordingly the ‘seigneuries’ were abolished and free townships established in their place. In 1840, following rebellions both in Upper Canada (against oligarchy) and in Lower Canada (against domination by English speakers), Upper Canada became Canada West, part of the United Province of Canada (1841-67), predecessor of the Dominion of Canada.