Which province joined Confederation in 1873, creating a maritime connection to the west?

• A. Nova Scotia
• B. New Brunswick
• C. Prince Edward Island
• D. Newfoundland

Answer: (C)

Joining in 1873 was driven by PEI’s desire for a railway link that would connect the island to the rest of Canada and create a maritime path to the western provinces. The federal government agreed to fund and build the Intercolonial Railway, a line from the Maritimes toward central Canada, linking Halifax, New Brunswick, and Quebec City and thereby integrating the Maritimes into Confederation. That railway connection made it possible to move people and goods toward the west, which was a major incentive for PEI to join. The other options joined Confederation at different times: Nova Scotia and New Brunswick were original members in 1867, and Newfoundland joined much later, in 1949.