Ruperts Land not bought by Canada

[Domoviye]

Ruperts Land was almost refused by Canada at the time of Confederation, due to many people considering it a vast wasteland that would be a drain on the fairly weak economy of Canada.
So lets say that the nay sayers win, what would happen to Ruperts Land if Canada hadn't taken it?

 

[The Gunslinger]

The sale of Rupertsland was symbolic, and the purchase had no actual merit. The territory was de facto British controlled anyways, if Canada doesn't make the purchase nothing changes, Canada saves some coin and winds up with the territory anyways.

 

[Alex Richards]

probably some of the southern Areas go to the US in the same way Texas did. BC is split off as a seperate Dominion, develops entirely seperately. Northern area (basically the original bit) is today an autonomous region of the UK if it hasn't been sold off since.

 

[Eurofed]

If Canada refuses, and USA makes a timely and well-worded generous offer, they may easily end up with the prize. Britain may still not be willing to sell the portion of RL that was above Ontario and Quebec, in order not to compormise the security of Canada, but everything west of that (including the North-West Territory) would be up for a sale.

 

[Domoviye]

The sale of Rupertsland was symbolic, and the purchase had no actual merit. The territory was de facto British controlled anyways, if Canada doesn't make the purchase nothing changes, Canada saves some coin and winds up with the territory anyways.

It was hardly symbolic. It was British controlled, but that doesn't mean Canada would get it automatically. Canada didn't just get Labrador, and the British didn't encourage Newfoundland or BC to join Canada.
Its just as likely British Columbia might get it. Or the US, or as Alex said it might become an autonomous territory. It might even become a full blown dominion.