A National Dream : The Steel Ribbon

Canada in the 1870’s Consisted of 7 provinces spread over 10km with few economic or transportation links B.C. joined in 1871 but promised a railway Some treaties were signed Population growth slow

The Canadian Pacific Railway: reasons for building The RR was a political necessity: –Success of Confederation depended on it –Meet demand for efficient transportation through Canada –Help unify Canada –Open up the west, want area to be settled by Canadians

RR was an economic necessity –Move goods and people across Canada –Replace older transportation methods –End of Reciprocity with US, central Canadian businessmen needed new markets –Colony of BC could not survive if not linked to the east –Available farmland in Ontario was scarce

Problems: Logistical Money 1872; Macdonald’s Tories had to resign due to the Pacific Scandal 1874: Liberals under Mackenzie defeat Macdonald’s Conservatives

Mackenzie’s Liberals Increased Canada’s military Supreme Court of Canada as a court of appeals Secret ballot All ridings vote at the same time But RECESSION and low cost imports undercut Canadian made products Liberals did not support Tariff’s but did want to limit free trade

1878: Macdonald’s Conservatives win Support protective tariffs National Policy - promise to restore national prosperity Settle the west Continue building the RR Needed private and public funding (Britain refused to help) Contract awarded to G. Stephen (brother D.Smith head of the HBC) but expensive

Awarded in 1880: The CPR 10 m hectares of land, $25m and no competition for 25 years, and no land tax but needed to be completed within 10 years 25 million acres of good land 700 miles of existing track 20 year monopoly of traffic in region W. Van Horne : general manager 1882 Contracts also awarded to A Onderdonk tp start the BC line (this would also be signed over to the CPR on completion)

Homestead Act 1867 Clear 5 year 160 acres

Problems: Ran out of money Settlers Weather Supplies Route But completed November 7, 1885 Last Spike Craigellachie B.C.

Gordon Lightfoot Canadian Railroad Trilogy VI You Tube