Jessica, Patrice, Ananvir, Navin, Sharon, Harman The Canadian Pacific Railway

The need for the railway.. After entering Confederation, Canadian citizens were awaiting their promise of a new transcontinental railway The railway would provide a transportation method throughout the colonies Provide a communication link throughout the colonies Transcontinental trading

The Road to the Railway… Macdonald did not realize the cost of the railway itself Macdonald’s first task was to find bankers for the project People who would finance the project in return for financial benefits from the government

Sir Hugh Alan & The CPR In the summer of 1871, the Minister of Finance (Francis Hincks) offered Alan to take over the project of the CPR Sir Hugh Alan had made a fortune in manufacturing and shipping in railway building in eastern Canada Alan thought it was a good idea but they would need American support to build the railway By the autumn of 1871, Alan had created the Canadian Pacific Railway company controlled by Jay Cookes Northern Pacific Railway

The Struggle.. After Macdonald resigned in 1873, a economic depression had followed and there was no railway built under the ruling of Mackenzie In 1876, Macdonald and his Conservative Party had come up with “National Policy” and had returned to office with a sustainable majority By the government was looking for investors to invest in the railway to start the project

The CPR Syndicate Investors: George Stephen (Bank of Montreal),Donald Smith (Hudson’s Bay Company, James J. Hill ( Canadian investing in US Railway) In exchange: $25m acres most of it on the prairies, monopoly on all rail traffic west of Lake Superior for the next 20yrs, exemption from all tax on all lands until they were sold In return: the investors promised to complete the railway within the 10yrs This contract was approved on Febuary1, 1881

Van Horne & The CPR Although there was a team, the company still did not have a clear thought of how and where the railway would run through Once the main line was completed the company intended to build branch lines north to the fertile belt = Profitable bargain, Control over new towns and railways William Van Horne was a 38 yrs old man who was intelligent and a dedicated man James Hill appointed Horne as the new general manager of the CPR He immediately injected a high level of efficiency in the railway company and

Problems… The government subsidy was paid out only as the each section of the work had been done Fall of 1883 the company was running out of money to invest into the railway All the money had been spent on the construction of the Prairie section of the lines so there would be not nearly enough for the mountainous terrain of eastern BC and the rocky shores of Lake Superior Shortly after the workers salaries dried up they were forced to strike The Canadian government passed a bill that gave the CPR $22.5m to finish the railway

Compromise During 1884 Horne tried to take shortcuts to built the railway with as much money as they had. Meaning, compromising on a few things.. Using wooden trestles to carry the line over difficult terrain CPR was built entirely by hand with thousands of people (between and more than workers were involved)

The working Conditions.. Dust from dynamite blasts Insects Over crowding Filth in the bunk houses Leaky roofs No plumbing Unhealthy diet : little access to fruits and vegetables No medical facilities No compensation: those injured where discharged and could never receive compensation for their injuries

The CPR “Saves the Nation” In March 1885 the Northwest Rebellion broke out The federal government needed to get the troops to the Northwest as quick as possible- that’s where the CPR comes in ! 4 gaps broke the rail line north of Lake Superior so soldiers had to get across these gaps on foot Van Horne managed to transport the troops with his efficiency so the first soldiers arrived at Winnipeg in just 5 days Finally, the government could react quickly and provide money for the railway to be complete On July 10 th the CPR received enough money from Ottawa to complete the transcontinental link by the fall of 1885