9.1 Economic Prosperity and Industrial Growth

Canada's post-war economic boom brought unprecedented prosperity. Fueled by consumer demand and government policies, industries flourished, and foreign investment poured in. Canadians enjoyed higher incomes, buying cars, appliances, and TVs like never before.

This economic growth reshaped the nation's landscape. The Trans-Canada Highway and St. Lawrence Seaway improved transportation. Suburbs expanded rapidly, and resource exploitation intensified to meet growing demand for raw materials and energy.

Post-war Economic Boom

Thriving Economy and Consumer Culture

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• Canada experienced a significant economic boom in the post-war period, driven by pent-up consumer demand and government policies that stimulated growth
• The rise of a consumer society emerged as Canadians had more disposable income to spend on goods and services
  • Increased ownership of automobiles, home appliances (refrigerators, washing machines), and televisions
  • Growth of advertising and marketing industries fueled consumerism
• Manufacturing sector expanded rapidly to meet the growing demand for consumer goods
  • Automotive industry flourished with the establishment of new plants (Ford, General Motors) and the production of popular models (Chevrolet Bel Air)
  • Other industries, such as steel, chemicals, and electronics, also experienced significant growth
• Foreign investment, particularly from the United States, played a crucial role in Canada's economic development
  • American companies established branch plants and subsidiaries in Canada (IBM, Procter & Gamble)
  • Foreign capital financed the expansion of resource-based industries, such as mining and oil extraction

Key Terms

• Post-war boom: The period of rapid economic growth and prosperity following World War II
• Consumer society: A society characterized by the widespread acquisition and consumption of goods and services
• Manufacturing sector: The part of the economy that produces finished goods from raw materials
• Foreign investment: The investment of capital from one country into another, often in the form of establishing businesses or acquiring assets

Infrastructure Development

Transportation Networks

• The Trans-Canada Highway, a federal-provincial project, was constructed to connect the country from coast to coast
  • Officially opened in 1962, stretching over 7,800 kilometers (4,860 miles)
  • Facilitated the movement of people and goods, promoting trade and tourism
• The St. Lawrence Seaway, a joint Canadian-American project, was completed in 1959
  • A system of locks, canals, and channels that allows ocean-going vessels to travel from the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes
  • Boosted the shipping industry and opened up new markets for Canadian goods

Key Terms

• Trans-Canada Highway: A transcontinental federal-provincial highway system that spans Canada from the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic Ocean
• St. Lawrence Seaway: A system of locks, canals, and channels that enables ships to travel from the Atlantic Ocean to the Great Lakes

Shifting Demographics and Landscapes

Urbanization and Suburban Growth

• Suburbanization, the growth of residential areas outside city centers, accelerated during the post-war period
  • Driven by factors such as affordable housing, improved transportation, and the desire for more space
  • Development of planned communities (Don Mills in Toronto, Levittown in the United States) that offered a mix of housing types and amenities
  • Expansion of infrastructure, including roads, schools, and shopping centers, to support suburban growth
• Resource exploitation intensified as demand for raw materials increased
  • Mining industry expanded with the discovery of new mineral deposits (Kidd Creek Mine in Ontario, Leduc oil field in Alberta)
  • Forestry sector grew to meet the demand for lumber and paper products
  • Hydroelectric projects (Niagara Falls, Churchill Falls in Labrador) were developed to provide power for industrial and residential use

Key Terms

• Suburbanization: The growth and development of residential areas outside the central urban areas of cities
• Resource exploitation: The process of extracting and using natural resources for economic gain