Montreal was the capital of the Province of Canada from 1844 to 1849 , but lost its status when a Tory mob burnt down the Parliament building to protest the passage of the Rebellion Losses Bill . For strategic reasons , Queen Victoria herself established Ottawa as the capital . The reasons were twofold ; as it was located more in the interior of the nation , it was less susceptible to US attack . Perhaps more importantly , as it lay on the border between French and English Canada , the small town of Ottawa was seen as a compromise between Montreal , Toronto , Kingston and Quebec City , who were all vying to become the young nation 's official capital
burnt down the Parliament
Burning of the Parliament Buildings in Montreal
Montreal