Canadian Confederation (French: Confédération canadienne) was the process by which the three colonies of Canada, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick were united into one federation called the Dominion of Canada on July 1, 1867. Upon confederation, what had formerly been called the Province of Canada was divided into the two provinces of Ontario and Quebec. Thus, the new Dominion initially consisted of four provinces, including the provinces of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. Over the years since Confederation, Canada has seen numerous territorial changes and expansions, resulting in the current number of ten provinces and three territories.