[trinovantes]

Most likely as a concession to getting Quebec to join the country

Same reason why we have things like the notwithstanding clause that allows provinces to overrule the constitution

[hylaride]

Quebec was controlled politically and economically by english speakers when Canada was formed. The decentralized political nature was more practical due to Canada's sparse population at the time. It's a blessing and a curse.

[nick__m]

You meant not leave the country, Québec, Ontario, Nova Scotia, and New Brunswick are the founding provinces and Québec had almost no leverage at the time.