>>7084403It was mostly in order to distinguish themselves from the North, and to express more clearly their desire to remain more autonomous to the federal power. But, in essence, their political system was similar.
Canada's provinces are different, because Canada is a confederation. Unlike in the US, provinces in Canada have the right to create their own, distinct foreign policy, signing treaties and establishing pseudo-embassies in other countries. Quebec, in particular, is very active in this domain, and has foreign relations somewhat comparable to that of an autonomous state of its own. On the other hand, US states are not allowed to have foreign policy of their own: every binding act with a foreign power has to receive the approval of the federal authorities.
Other than that, canadian provinces and US states are comparable in other aspects: they each have their own legislature in internal affairs like health care, education, culture or transports.
