Why is it caled Lower Canada if it is on the North of Upper Canada?

Question

I just don't get it. Shouldn't the northern part be called Upper Canada and not Lower Canada? is it called Lower Canada because it has more French Catholic (who are looked DOWN upon)

Answer 1

It's an up river and down river situation. Consider elevations, Montreal is 35 meters above sea level and Toronto is 75 meters. Really not that much difference, especially now. But we don't call them that now, we called them that when if you were paddling a canoe up or down river it would be a huge difference.

Answer 2

Not really. Remember the mode of transport. The core of the colonies was the St. Lawrence River.

Above the LaChine Rapids at Montreal was the Upper St. Lawrence.

Below the LaChine Rapids at Montreal was the Lower St. Lawrence.

So Upper Canada was up river from LaChine and the Lower Canada below the rapids.

Hey this is true. I asked the same question in school. I was ridiculed for asking. I learned. I learned.

Answer 3

Actually, Upper Canada was west of Lower Canada. Upper Canada became Ontario and Lower Canada became Quebec. Upper Canada was upriver via the St. Lawrence from Lower Canada.