ABSTRACT

First Published in 2005. The aim of this book is to provide an introduction to and interpretation of the development of the Canadian economy since European settlement. The main contrast between the book’s view and previous interpretations of Canada’s economic past is that, instead of emphasizing the continuity of Canadian economic development (with staple exports playing the leading role), the focus is on the transition from the sparsely populated colonial economy of the early nineteenth century to the modern economy ranking among the seven largest market economies whose leaders now meet for economic summits.

chapter 1|6 pages

Introduction

chapter 2|26 pages

Economic Development prior to 1850

chapter 5|54 pages

Government Policy

chapter 7|18 pages

The Prairie Wheat Economy

chapter 8|14 pages

The Financial System

chapter 9|10 pages

Business Cycles

chapter 10|11 pages

Regional Variations in Economic Development

chapter 11|3 pages

Conclusions