Industry & Transport

In this section we aim to explore the contribution of transport, industry and commerce to the history of Canada. We will mainly use antiquarian resources to do this but we'd be more than happy to receive any contributions from our visitors in text, pictures or videos to add to the site. We'd especially like to hear from anyone that can help us detail the contributions of Canada's individual industrial and commercial sectors.

Most People Have No Idea Canada Owns The World — The Geographic Secret That Changes History

Discover why Canada is not just a friendly neighbor but the silent superpower of the 21st century. We analyze Canada’s immense geographic advantages, from its dominance over the melting Arctic and the Northwest Passage to its monopoly on critical minerals, fresh water, and global food security. Learn how geography is destiny and why the future center of gravity is shifting North. Uncover the strategic reality behind the map in this deep dive into Canadian geopolitics.

VIA Rail's Canadian - A Trans-Canada Train Odyssey
(Vancouver to Toronto , March 2022)
Well, it's finally here! For those who have seen my preview video and for those interested who are checking in in for the first time... Here is my full-length documentary on "The Canadian" - VIA Rail's Transcontinental passenger train, which runs from Vancouver to Toronto. This was recorded during our scenic land cruise across Canada in March of 2022. Showcasing the breathtaking scenery, and world class service & accommodations to be found aboard VIA Rail Canada's premier passenger train. It's a 95 hour trip condensed into 3hrs55min - Possibly the longest & most in-depth amateur video documentary of the Canadian on Youtube - Hope you enjoy!

Riding Via Rail's Corridor Service
Business Class-Toronto-Ottawa-Montréal

Immersive railway POV through Canadian Shield in 4K

The Trans-Canada Highway
The ENTIRE History Of The Trans-Canada Highway (62 Years in 51 Minutes)

Canada’s Extreme Train Routes
Chris Tarrant's Extreme Railway Journeys

The Making of a Great Canadian Railway
The story of the search for and discovery of the route, and the construction of the nearly completed Grand Trunk Pacific Railway from the Atlantic to the Pacific with some account of the hardships and stirring adventures of its constructors in unexplored country by Frederick A. Talbot, author of "The new garden of Canada" (1912) (pdf)

For an overview of economic activity by Province you might visit the Provincial Trends reports which is an in-depth analysis of provincial economic trends in Canada by Scotia Bank.
The 20 Economic Sectors in Canada
This gives a list of the sectors and what they cover.
Canadian Budget
For the year 2025 (pdf)
The Unexploited West
A Compilation of all of the authentic information available at the present time as to the Natural Resources of the Unexploited Regions of Northern Canada By Major Ernest J. Chambers, Corps of Guides (1914) (pdf)
When the Steel Went Through
By P. Turner Bone. This is a story of the building of the Canadian Pacific Railroad by one of the engineers that worked on many parts of the line.
Railways of Canada for 1870-1
Shewing the progress, mileage, cost of construction, the stocks, bonds, traffic, earnings, expenses, organisation of the railways of the dominion, also, a sketch of the difficulties incident to transportation in Canada in the pre railroad days by J. M. & Edw. Trout (1871) (pdf)
The Railway Clauses Consolidation Acts of Canada
14 & 15 Victoria, Chapter 51, And 16 Victoria, Chapter 169, with an alphabetical and analytical index by Alexander Morris. M. A.,
Barrister-at-Law, Montreal (1853) (pdf)
The Canadian Canals
Their History and Cost, with an inquiry into the policy necessary to advance the well-being of the Province by William Kingsford, Civil Engineer (1865) (pdf)
Forest, Stream and Seashore
Issued by The Intercolonial Railway and Prince Edward Island Railway of Canada, August 1901 (pdf)
Ocean to Ocean, Fleming's Expedition Through Canada in 1872
By The Revd. George M. Grant (1873). This is the story of the first survey done looking for the best route for the Canadian Pacific Railroad.
The Remarkable History of the Hudson's Bay Company
By George Bryce. The story of the Hudson's Bay company and how it played a major role in the opening up of Canada and its commerce.
Astoria
An Enterprise Beyond by Washington Irving in three volumes (1836)
The Hudson Bay Route
Proposed railway line to Hudson Bay (pdf)
Economic Minerals and Mining Industry of Canada
By the Staff of the Mines Branch. Also added to this page is a summary of the 2010 position on mineral wealth of Canada.
An overview of the Agricultural market
From Canadian Statistics
Oil and Gas Industry in Canada
Here we will explore this sector of the Canadian economy.
Woolen Industry in Canada
A look at the past and present of the woolen industry in Canada.
Lumber Industry
I am using as a base for this section volume 1 of a 2 volume book about the lumber industry in America. This volume concentrates on Canada.
Health Industry
Here I am trying to build some information on the Health Service in Canada.
Banking
Here I am trying to give you an overview of the banking industry in Canada.
Statistics Canada
They produce the Canada Year Book which is Statistics Canada's most popular publication. For over 140 years, it's been the ultimate source for the newest facts and analyses related to current events, important issues, and trends in Canada.
US - Canada Economic Relations
This is a report from the US Embassy in Ottawa
How Canada is leveraging its PPP expertise worldwide
Early experience with public-private partnerships have enabled this nation’s deal makers and builders to exploit the global trend
Release of the BTB and RCC Reports to Leaders 2012
Reports produced by the US Embassy in Canada on The Beyond the Border Action Plan.
National Trade Estimates Report on Foreign Trade Barriers 2013
A report which shows the USA's view on trade barriers with Canada
Arctic Economics in the 21st Century. Center for Strategic & International Studies (pdf)
The report explores the key economic dynamics at play in the rapidly changing Arctic region, and evaluates both the economic benefits of an increasingly open Arctic region and the costs of exploring the riches of the American Arctic.
Copyright Policy, Creativity, and Innovation in the Digital Economy (Green Paper). Department of Commerce
This Green Paper is the most thorough and comprehensive analysis of digital copyright policy issued by any administration since 1995. The report is a product of the Department of Commerce’s Internet Policy Task Force (IPTF) with input from the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO) and the National Telecommunications and Information Administration (NTIA).
Kootenay Valley Railway (Canadian Pacific) Cabride - Trail to Nelson, BC
With power consisting of no less than 4 SD40-2s and a GP38-2, the KVR's Hotshot is shown making its way from Tadanac yard in Trail to the crew change point of Nelson. This trip of 47 miles goes through some of the most beautiful scenery in Canada.
Last Train Across Canada - Murray Sayle - 1990
Full Documentary, Originally produced for PBS "Travels" Series.
Doug Jones Travelog: The Great Canadian Train Ride
Canadian Fishing Industry
Information on the Canadian Fishing Industry
History of the Cunard Steam Ship Company
The Canadian Tourism Industry
Examining the tourism industry of Canada.
A Pipeline from West to East
TransCanada
Pioneer Transportation in Canada
By Lawrence J. Burpee, F.R.S.C., Secretary, International Joint Commission, Ottawa
Building of a Railway from Guelph via Elora, Fergus, Mount Forest and Walkerton, to Lake Huron Submitted by F. W. Watkins (1867)
Historical Sketch of the British American Assurance Company
By J. Castell Hopkins, F.S.S. (1912)
Great Lakes and Atlantic Canal and Power Company, Limited.
Proposed Great Lakes to Ocean $500,000,000 Waterway Improvement and $200,000,000 Hydraulic Development (1919) (pdf)
Industrial Canada
Issued by The Canadian Manufacturers' Association
Woollen Industry in Canada
By Watson Griffin (pdf)
Here I Stand - The Chris Hadfield Story
Canada's Astronaut.
The World Without Canada
A video series
Digital Canada 150
A 2017 vision for Digital Canada (pdf)
A History of Canadian Journalism
In the Several Portions of the Dominion with a Sketch of the Canadian Press Association 1859-1908 Edited by a Committee of the Association (pdf)
History of Canadian Wealth
By Gustavus Myers (1914) (pdf)
Making a Start in Canada
Letters from two young emigrants with an Introduction by Alfred J. Church, M.A. (1889) (pdf)
Bureau of Scientific and Industrial Research and School of Specific Industries of the Royal Canadian Institute
Bulletin: Series I. No. I. Presidential Address at Opening Meeting of Session of 1915 by President Frank Arnoldi, K.C. (1915) (pdf)
Canadian Railway and Marine World
A publication covering this market.
Veterinary work in Canada
An Epoch in Canadian Shipping
By Randolph Carlyle (1907) (pdf)
Canadian women in workshops, mills and factories
The evidence of the 1871 census manuscripts (pdf)
Canada USA
Problems and contradictions in North America Economic Integration. (pdf)
The Problem of Canada
By Malcolm McLeod (1880) (pdf)
Interview with Michael Dederer
by Museum of History & Industry
Report of the Postmaster General
For Year Ended March 31, 1915 (pdf)
Building the North
By J, B. MacDougall, B.A. (1919)
Statistics Canada
Catalogue 1994 (pdf)
Rail in Canada 1990
From Statistics Canada (pdf)
The Railway and Marine World
Devoted to Steam and Electric Railway, Marine, Grain Elevator, Express, Telegraph and Contractors' Interests. General Index for 1908 (pdf)
Monthly Financial Report of the General Secretary and Treasurer
Brotherhood of Locomotive Firemen and Enginemen No. 96 For the month ending December 31, 1914 (pdf)

12 Canadian Companies That Secretly Rule the World

These 12 Canadian companies operate behind the scenes — financing infrastructure, managing global assets, producing every day essential items, and building technologies that power modern economies. Their reach spans energy, banking, mining, real estate, and tech across multiple continents. In this video, we break down what they do — and how that gives Canada outsized global influence.