What did Britain get out of Canada?

Answer 1

Wealth and increased global power. Britain's Canadian possessions stood between the USA and their Manifest Destiny desires. Britain was also able to give away much of "Canada" (after all they owned it) to the USA to appease American desires and hold them in check throughout the years.

When it became clear that Britain was no longer able to do this, that they would not be able to defend British Possessions in Canada, they encouraged their colonies to Confederate.

Even after that Confederation the British gave away, or rather told the Americans they would not militarily defend a large section of the Canadian coastline in return for political favors outside of Canada.

Britain continued to gain political advantage from Canada and took considerable wealth and cannon fodder from Canada until the last half of the 20th century when the French in Canada gained enough political power to put a stop to that. They then had enough power to have Canada join the USA in trade and military agreements.

Today Britain must talk to the USA if they want anything significant from Canada. Canada is a protectorate of the USA who have veto rights over large trade and military issues.

Answer 2

Canada provided several things to Britain during their empire. They provided furs, ores, fuels, lumber, and several other resources as well.