You could conceivably have a united Maritime province within a greater confederation by the 1880's.
I genuinely feel that Canadian Confederation was going to happen, too much pressure from London, and fear of American manifest destiny. Too many characters like Cartier, Brown and McGee are in play for there not to be political unification of some form.
Contrary to the popular opinion of some, confederation even happening is evident of a very strong desire to not be swallowed up by the USA in the population and establishment. Consider every government up until the 1988, that even breathed a word of free trade with the USA, and you get an idea of the peoples attitude to the neighbor below.
With a later confederation I dont think the constrictive policies (ie the national policy) that focused attention on the Great Lakes and St Lawrence valley, and crippled Maritime industry, would get the go ahead.
A wagon trail to BC would still be persued by the Canadian government, as their driving goal was not to be surrounded by the USA.