`****Federation is clear when talking specifically about federation; but simply ``a federation`` isn't clear in the context of what Canada became in 1867.  What kind of federation did the colonies unite into?  ``A federal Dominion`` doesn't dispose of the important act of federation, but the inclusion of ``Dominion`` makes clear that the country was not a fully independent at that time; together the two words state with crystal clarity exactly what Canada became on that date.    *`