36 CONSTITUTIONAL HISTORY OF THE PROVINCES. 
Council require to be transmitted to the Governor in Council 
who may disallow any law within two years of its passing’. 
3. Tug NorTH WEST TERRITORIES. 
The North West Territories comprise all lands not within 
the limits of any province or of the District of Keewatin. The 
area of the Territories is about 3,000,000 square miles or four 
bimes as great as the area of all the provinces together. The 
Territories were ceded to Canada by an Order in Council dated 
the 24th June 1870° under the authority of the 146th section 
of the B.N.A. Act, 1867. The southern portion of the 
serritories between Manitoba and British Columbia has 
been formed into four provisional districts, viz. Assiniboia, 
Saskatchewan, Alberta and Athabasca. By the Dominion 
Act 38 Vic. ¢. 49 executive and legislative powers were con- 
ferred on a Lieutenant-Governor and a Council of five members 
subject to instructions given by Order in Council or by the 
Canadian Secretary of State. Provision was made for the 
election of representatives to the Council by districts having 
a population of 1000 adults, and owing to the increase mn 
population there are now 14 elected members. When the 
number of elected members reaches 21, the Council is to 
cease and the members are to constitute a legislative As- 
sembly. The Acts relating to the government of the Terri- 
bories have been consolidated and form c. 50 of the Revised 
Statutes of Canada. 
0 Tur UNION OF THE PROVINCES. 
Steps A federal union of the British North American Colonies 
A had been a favourite scheme with many Colonial statesmen 
mnion. 4nd on several occasions was discussed by some of the legis- 
latures. 
1 See The Keewstin Act, BR. S. C., 49 Vie. ¢. 53. 
2 Qee Appendix.