Currency, Clear-Cuts, and Canada

The oath of Canada was built off the exportation of its natural resources. The highest quality resources are depleted. Since the first settlers came to Canada, there has been a lot of controversy regarding the exploitation of our resources. Through economic, and environmental concerns comes the debate. These environmental concerns aren’t without warrant though. The prairies have been cultivated for many decades, and are losing their rich, fertile lands. The oil fields are years past their peak output, and the forests were depleted in the first half of the 20th century.

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f you came to the North Shore today, you would be stuck by its beauty. Come here 75 years ago, and you would be greeted with a barren wasteland, void of trees. Canada as a country has been shaped by its natural landscape and resources throughout the whole of its history. From the First Nations to the first settlers, to today. Specifically, in the post-WW2 era, Canada was built on the exportation of its natural resources. The logging and deforestation operations in North Vancouver in the 1950s was directly tied to this growth.

As the first settlers moved into Canada, they began to use trees at a higher rate. Mainly for buildings, and heat. Today, timber is used almost exclusively for domestic construction or exportation. 60% of the lumber is exported, and 40% of it is used here in Canada. Trees are a nature-based solution to many problems throughout the many communities in the history of Canada.

During and post-WW2, Canada was forced to search for new resources, causing an explosion in Canada’s exports. As such, the Canadian economy benefitted from the war, and its industries. The most prevalent example of this was the development of the atom bomb and the high demand for uranium that came with it. Canada began to mine uranium in northern Saskatchewan, a uranium-rich area holding the world's highest grade deposits. Through this new post-war necessity, Canada became the world's largest supplier of Uranium, boosting its economy through another export of its natural resources.

Throughout Canada’s history, it’s used its natural resources as an export to amplify its economy. Canada has many natural exports such as oil, minerals, timber, water, and food. Oil and timber being the main two. Timber has been an integral part of Canada since the First Nations. Starting with the First Nations, they used large cedar trees to create canoes, paddles, baskets, shelter, and tools.

Oil has also been vital to Canada. It’s currently Canada's #1 export. Making $103 million per year, and fuelling a $128 billion industry. Totalling 6.4% of the entire Canadian economy! As a trade partner with the USA, Canada exports over 99% of its oil across the border. Oil was a part of Canada’s economy very early on. Oil was first discovered in Southwestern Ontario in 1857. The industry has only grown since then, peaking in 1973 and consistently staying Canada's #1 export since.

The oath of Canada was built off the exportation of its natural resources. The highest quality resources are depleted. Since the first settlers came to Canada, there has been a lot of controversy regarding the exploitation of our resources. Through economic, and environmental concerns comes the debate. These environmental concerns aren’t without warrant though. The prairies have been cultivated for many decades, and are losing their rich, fertile lands. The oil fields are years past their peak output, and the forests were depleted in the first half of the 20th century.

After WW2, Canada was able to take advantage of its abundant prairie land. Due to the growth of the population post-war including the baby boom, food was essential. Canadian farms expanded to meet this need. The expansion is agricultural practices post-war boosted Canada's economy, producing a large amount of food for raw and processed export.

“70% of BC’s forests have been logged”

“Canada forced to search for new resources.”

During and post-WW2, Canada was forced to search for new resources, causing an explosion in Canada’s exports. As such, the Canadian economy benefitted from the war, and its industries. The most prevalent example of this was the development of the atom bomb and the high demand for uranium that came with it. Canada began to mine uranium in northern Saskatchewan, a uranium-rich area holding the world's highest grade deposits. Through this new post-war necessity, Canada became the world's largest supplier of Uranium, boosting its economy through another export of its natural resources.

An example of this exploitation of resources is found in North Vancouver, where over 70% of forests were destroyed. The logging industry in North Vancouver changed its landscape being the main reason for its growth. As the forests were cut down, it opened up the landscape and allowed space for buildings, parks, and more people. During the post-war era, population growth was up 2.1% per year! Through the growth of the population of North Vancouver, expanded it’s economy. As stated previously, over 70% of North Vancouver was logged, starting in the early 1800s. It was hard laborious work but proved to be worth it, as it was the export on which the city was built. Fir, Cedar, and Hemlock were pulled out of the forest using steam engines, allowing for more efficient logging, further destroying the forest.

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Canada was able to take advantage of its resources starting with oil and lumber. This has been the case since the First Nations. When the first settlers arrived and began logging, this opened up space for buildings and population growth. Further transitioning into the exploitation of minerals, post WW2. All of this contributing to the growth of the economy in Canada.

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“Canada owes its development to its vast resources and accelerated growth post-war.”

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Works Cited:

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Hall, Roger D., et al. “Economy of Canada.” Encyclopædia Britannica, Encyclopædia Britannica, Inc., 5 Aug. 1998, www.britannica.com/place/Canada/Economy.

“Logging - North Vancouver - North Vancouver Museum and Archives.” MONOVA, 15 Nov. 2016, monova.ca/virtual-exhibits/logging/.

Milton, David, and Mark Kuhlberg. “Lumber and Wood Industries.” The Canadian Encyclopedia, 7 Feb. 2006, www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/lumber-and-wood-industries.

Pawloska-Mainville, Agnes, and J.D. Chapman. “Natural Resources in Canada.” The Canadian Encyclopedia, 24 Jan. 2007, www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/resources.

Bendickson, D. “The Hydraulic Excavator.” For.gov.bc, www.for.gov.bc.ca/hfd/pubs/docs/lmh/Lmh66/Lmh66_ch05.pdf.

“Miners Load a Mine Railway Car.” Saskatchewan Research Council, Nicholson Mine, 18 Sept. 2018, www.src.sk.ca/blog/saskatchewans-first-cold-war-uranium-mine.

“Road Construction with a Line Shovel.” For.gov.bc, 1936, www.for.gov.bc.ca/hfd/pubs/docs/lmh/Lmh66/Lmh66_ch05.pdf.

“Wood-Burning Steam Shovel.” For.gov.bc, 1935, www.for.gov.bc.ca/hfd/pubs/docs/lmh/Lmh66/Lmh66_ch05.pdf.

Vyse , Alan, et al. “Forest Practices - British Columbia.” For.gov.bc, www.for.gov.bc.ca/hfd/pubs/Docs/Lmh/Lmh66/Lmh66_ch05.pdf.

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