[II2II]

I suspect that was a reference to the Hudson's Bay Company. I would have to brush up on my history, but they effectively controlled a huge tract of land pre-Confederation and continued to serve many smaller towns until well into the 20th century. I don't think the Hudson's Bay Company was considered a crown corporation, but they were granted a royal charter.

[hackbinary]

Yes, HBC has a Royal Charter from King Charles II which granted HBC exclusive economic activity in the lands that drained into Hudson Bay.

HBC lands were surrendered to the British government in 1868 ahead of confederation.

[ryanbrunner]

HBC (which is now a department store) was still required to give the crown 2 elks and 2 beavers whenever they visited Canada up until 1970.