What is the longest river in Canada?

The Mackenzie River is the longest river in Canada, stretching over 4,241 kilometers (approximately 2,635 miles). It flows through the Northwest Territories and is significant not only for its length but also for the extensive watershed it drains. The river originates from Great Slave Lake and empties into the Arctic Ocean, playing a crucial role in the ecology of the region as well as in the cultural and economic activities of the Indigenous communities inhabiting its banks.

In comparison, the Saint Lawrence River, while vital and well-known, is shorter than the Mackenzie and primarily serves as a major trade route connecting the Great Lakes to the Atlantic Ocean. The Fraser River and Yukon River, although important in their own right, are also not as long as the Mackenzie River. The Fraser is primarily located in British Columbia and is well-known for its salmon runs, while the Yukon River flows through both Canada and the United States, but it does not surpass the Mackenzie in length.