A Different Nation: Canada Enters the Twentieth Century 1

Urbanization While thousands of immigrants were settling farms, thousands more were moving to towns and cities. Some chose urban life because that was what they knew (Jewish people were not allowed to own land in Europe), while others felt living in large communities was better than the back breaking labour of farming. 2

Canada’s rise in manufacturing meant job opportunities. Winnipeg, Manitoba – 1901 had people, in 1911 had “Chicago of the North.” 3

Cities filled with contrast between rich and poor. The rich lived in luxury, had servants, electricity, running water. The poor lived in shacks, and overcrowded tenements. Lack of clean water and proper sewers lead to many diseases in the poorer districts. Child labour laws were few and rarely enforced. 4

An Economy Transformed Canada was and still is known for its abundance of Natural Resources, such as timber, wheat, and minerals. Atlantic Ocean shipping costs were cheap. Panama Canal meant the opening of shipping routes for Western Canada to Europe. This Waterway provided access to the Yukon, where gold had been discovered. 5

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The Manufacturing Industry Hydroelectric power stations were built in the early 1900’s. With this power, bigger and better machines could be used to produce more goods. Industrialization takes off! With creation of jobs meant the creation of consumer goods. Canada Dry, Shredded Wheat, Heinz Ketchup etc. More automobiles were appearing on the streets. Wireless Radios were used on board many ships (RMS Titanic) 7

Corporate Giants Maple Leaf Milling, Massey Harris, Imperial Oil: with little competition, could set high prices and pay low wages, bringing rise to the formation of trade unions. Trade unions fought for fare wages, reduced hours of work, and better working conditions. If needs not met, some unions would strike. Some strikes resulted in violence (coal miners in Nanaimo 1913) Series of bank failures in 1910 saw Canada go into a recession, with industries cutting back on production, and workers losing jobs. 8