A Letter To A Formal Construction Worker In 1881

In 1919, World War I had finally come to an end, leaving most of the world in a post war depression. However, in countries like Canada, the decade ahead would be filled with amazing growth and change in many ways. The 1920s were an exciting time in Canada because of the economic prosperity, technological, social and cultural revolutions and growing political responsibility and change in policy that country experienced. These economic, social and political changes really made the 1920s in Canada “roar”.

The Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR), officially founded in 1881, marked a significant milestone in Canadian history. At the time it was legitimately formed, no one could have ever imagined the evolution and progression that it has made to present day. Over the past 150 years, the CPR has underwent and endured its fair share of sacrifices. However, there are countless reasons why the CPR should be viewed, remembered, and revered as a successful project. Throughout this essay, numerous topics, from the origins of the railway’s formation to its relevance and continued influence during present day, will be illustrated and examined in great detail, as well as why the project itself was an overall success.

“An immigrant who can bring with him work for twelve people is to be welcomed with open arms even in a industrial colossus like the United States - welcomed anywhere it would seem but in Canada...Not only have the refugees brought work, but they have brought new customers”, (Document, 9).

Around the mid-19th to early 20th centuries, British Columbia was in a period of economic explosion. Those who were willing to work hard could find many opportunities. At this time, gold was found in British Columbia and Canada became dependent on workers to finish making the transcontinental railway. Many lumbering, coal mining and fishing business were not experiencing enough growth to match the needs of the society. This portrayed Canada as a place of opportunity and settlement for Asians whose homelands were becoming overcrowded. Sadly, the early pioneer years were extremely difficult for Asian immigrants due to the extensive racism and barriers keeping them from full participation of the Canadian

The On-to-Ottawa trek occurred the desperate economic time of the 1930s in Canada when people were unhappy about the conditions of their lives and proceeded to act upon it. The federal government at the time, run by R.B. Bennett, imposed relief camps in an attempt to help these people, but little did the government know that this decision would result in men forming a group meant to revolt against the poor conditions of their lives in these camps. With organization from passionate leaders this group planned oppose Bennett and expose his faults, all the while he continued to refuse to acknowledge his wrong doings and repeatedly justified his plan that was doing more harm than good. The group’s frustration would eventually reach a tipping point when the decided to travel to Ottawa to meet Bennett face to face and finally settle their problems. The events surrounding the On-to-Ottawa trek allowed the men of western Canada to face Prime Minister R.B. Bennett and the federal government so that they were aware and had to act on the harsh conditions that they had to deal with during “The Great Depression”.

In the end, the changing role of Canada’s women during the War was the beginning of a chain reaction of events that have forever changed the Canadian workplace and also that of men’s archaic views on the capabilities of women in general. Many look back to the period during the war in which women were encouraged to get out of the kitchen and go to work, and wonder how a five year period could be so instrumental in forever changing the norms of society? Two authors, who

Mary Rose McGeady once said, “There is no greater joy nor greater reward than to make a fundamental difference in someone 's life.” Canadian history has had several pioneers that set a precedent within the Social Welfare system in tremendous ways. Simply by having the want to make a difference in the lives of others, and the courage to take action. Within this essay you will read about 2 Canadian pioneers. Phillip Fontaine, National Chief of AFN who has brought forth the truth regarding Residential Schools in Canada. Therefore, creating programs to attempt reconciliation between Nations and Government. Laura Holland, RN

At the beginning of the twentieth century, many Canadians were still adjusting to its new ways and ideas. Then the Greatest War the world had ever seen transformed the map of Europe and changed the nations, and the people, who fought in it forever. In Canada, for example, during the war the government faced great challenges such as the conscription crisis when the Country was divided by politics. In addition Canada was accepting the new, untraditional, roles of women, who during the war were allowed to work for the first time in ‘men’s professions”; such as

I am currently residing in Central Alberta as a high school student. Having looked through my school announcements page, I came across this opportunity to immerse myself in a historical based journey. As an individual, I have decided to apply for this once in a lifetime opportunity because it would strongly enrich my passion for history and expand my horizons on my path to an imminent career. Moreover I consider this opportunity to establish a stronger sense of Canada’s history during the First World War. Last but not least, I feel it is important to further understand the importance of Canadian involvement in the First World War.

Stemming from a lack of skilled labourers in B.C, the need for immigration was key in developing the idea of a Canadian “El Dorado”. Thankfully though, the enticement of gold was enough to do so. Dubbed Gold Rush Fever, it “went global in the 19th century. Gold rushes caused the first large scale world migrations.” And due to this immigration, “Nineteenth - century gold rushes shaped and reshaped trans - pacific networks of

Sir John was a visionary and had great plans to try to make Canada the greatest country in history. He had a genius and crazy idea to build a massive railroad across the entire country from sea to sea. He imagined the country being able to send goods quickly to incite internal trade, and be able to send soldiers across the country in the event of an emergency. Furthermore, the railroad would help to signal that the country had united as one. A quote from Sir John about the railroad states “Late events have shown us that we are made one people by that road, that iron

The construction of the CPR also provided many benefits for consumers in Canada at the time of being built, as well as after for many years to come. Receiving goods was made much easier through the use of the CPR to deliver products to the eastern part of Canada. This was mostly just a convenience for consumers rather than really benefitting them financially. As a result of easier transportation to the eastern Canada, the price of food and goods was far less coming from the west because of the low shipment costs issued by the CPR, which was a financial benefit for the consumers of Canada. The standard of living in turn was increased by the lower costs of items needed for the standard every-day life of citizens living in Canada. This was mostly apparent in the lower to middle class division in that time, where obvious gains were apparent, so the new immigrants and poor began to lift out of poverty at a substantial rate. Another benefit that consumers had was that they were not required to pay tariffs on the CPR; only the clients of the railway were required to pay fares to the financiers, which was another convenience for consumers. To put it simply, Canada’s consumers weren’t drastically affected by the construction of the

Stepping out onto Canadian soil is the dream of any new immigrant coming to create a new life for a fresh start. The strong images of digging, logging, and construction are just some of the rough edged images that many do not consider when imagining the Canadian Dream. The Canadian Dream in the minds of workers in Michael Ondaatje’s, In the Skin of a Lion, is labouring to create life for themselves and working towards a steady future. Abbott describes the masterplot as “stories that we tell over and over in myriad forms and that connect vitally with our deepest values, wishes, and fears.” (Abbott 46). Ondaatje’s emphasis on labour reminds readers of the difficult work that individuals endured in the early foundational days of Toronto. The Canadian masterplot of labour in early Toronto can be initially thought of as a sparkling dream, when in reality it was harsh work that often went unrecognized. The less educated, along with immigrants were considered lower class and were placed in positions of difficult work and limited pay. Historically, it may be a preconceived notion that Canada was built with ease and peace, but in truth, weathered men and women were the backbone that built the nation. The individuals who built the infrastructure of Toronto endured the most difficult work yet were hidden in the darkness. They experienced the most dangerous labor yet they were recognized the least because of the negative connotations of the job. In this essay I will be outlining the

I am sorry that it took me a while to write back, it is not easy to send a letter. I am living in Upper Canada, along with a large number of other immigrants. I work long hours every day and get very little sleep. Life is tough here, I construct buildings and maintain farms for a living. Going places due to the lack of roads is inconvenient. There are no roads which make it very hard to travel. I live in an unpleasant house, and it was often overcrowded. Residing in Upper Canada is tough since I did not own any property which means that I can not vote. All the immigrants don’t have much say in the government. I hope that this will change shortly and everyone can have a say in what they believe. Don’t worry about me; I will be okay. Take care

As the 20th century comes to an end, Canada is a transcontinental nation whose interests and representatives span the face of the globe and extend into every sphere of human behaviour. However this was not always the case. When the four colonies of British North America united to create Canada on July 1, 1867, the new country's future was by no means secure. Canada was a small country, with unsettled borders, vast empty spaces, and a large powerful neighbour, the United States. Confronting these challenges was difficult for the young country. Though Canada was independent in domestic matters, Britain retained control over its foreign policy. Over the next fifty or so years, Canada's leaders and its