Canada East (French: Canada-Est) was the northern-eastern portion of the United Province of Canada. Lord Durham's Report investigating the causes of the Upper and Lower Canada Rebellions recommended merging the two Canadas. The new provincial colony was created by the Act of Union 1840 passed by the Parliament of the United Kingdom, having effect in 1841. It continued to exist as part of the Province of Canada until Canadian confederation in 1867. An estimated 890,000 people lived in Canada East in 1851.