1871 - (February 6, 2017)

In 1866, one year before Confederation, the British government united Vancouver Island with British Columbia. 

In July 20, 1871, the province of British Columbia joins Canada, becoming the country's sixth province. At the time, the European population was 11,000 and the aboriginal population was 25,000. (see link for British Columbia's population throughout its history).

Source of image: https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/1/12/Canada_provinces_1870-1871.png

One of the preconditions for British Columbia joining Canada was the promise (made by Prime Minister John A. MacDonald) that Canada would join British Columbia with the rest of Canada through a railroad. This was to become a reality by 1885, an incredible achievement given Canada's small population at the time!

As required by the British North America Act, 1871 becomes the year when Canada's first census takes place. It includes all inhabitants, including the aboriginal population. The 5-volume census (written in English and French). The total population of Canada in 1871 was 3,485,761 (click here for a link to the data in this census).

Source of image: http://www.canind71.uoguelph.ca/images/h-A.jpg