Although responsible government had existed in Canada since 1848, Britain continued to set its foreign and defence policies after the end of the First World War.
With the passing of the Statute of Westminster in 1931, Canada became co-equal with the United Kingdom.
Therefore, the population density of the habitable land in Canada can be modest to high depending on the region.
Mainly due to natural increase and modest immigration from Northwest France (Brittany, Normandy, Île-de-France, Poitou-Charentes and Pays de la Loire) the population of New France increased to 55,000 according to the last French census of 1754.
From 1851 to 1901, a census occurred every 10 years in Canada; this was confirmed by the (which received Royal Assent on May 16, 1905) a general census of Canada was to occur in 1911, and every 10 years thereafter, and a census of population and agriculture was to be taken in Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta in 1906, and every 10 years thereafter.
The large size of Canada's north which is not arable, and thus cannot support large human populations, significantly lowers the carrying capacity.
For Ontario family law purposes, you must cohabit 3 years, or have a child and a relationship of some permanence.
In British Columbia family law, you must cohabit 2 years in a marriage-like relationship.
Federal issues include items such as federal government pensions and division of the Canada Pension Plan upon separation.
Property division is determined by provincial law and each province has its own definition of what a common law spouse is.