Skip to content | Skip to institutional links

Common menu bar links

Most of the commemoration of Canada's economic heritage has taken place in the last two decades. In its early years, the system of National Historic Sites of Canada rarely reflected economic history, except at major posts of the western fur trade. Today, the system commemorates fishing, farming, forestry and mineral exploitation. The land's mineral wealth has shaped Canadian history. Other aspects of Canada's economy that are beginning to earn recognition are manufacturing and the international trade in foodstuffs, notably represented by sites such as grain elevators.

Canadian railways, which stitched the country together for more than a century, are commemorated in many ways, including the preservation of representative and outstanding historic railway stations. However, the recognition of Canada's entrepreneurs and innovators and their major works is far from complete. The role of workers, including organized labour and pre-industrial work, also offers opportunities for rounding out recognition of Canadians' productive activities at home and abroad. More visibly, our heritage includes impressive engineering structures that remain in daily use and whose historic value will be recognized more fully in years to come.

Pan-Canadian connections are found throughout the representation of this theme because so much had to be done to meet the challenges of distance and climate. The wealth of technological skill that Canadians deployed to meet these challenges offers scope for the next generation of national commemorations of Canada's economic heritage.

Medalta Potteries, Alberta
Early 20th Century Beehive Kilns

Dawson Historical Complex, Yukon Territory
Buildings from Klondike Gold Rush

Head-Smashed-In Buffalo Jump, Alberta

Acton Vale Railway Station, Quebec Picturesque Grand Trunk Station

Peterborough Liftlock, Ontario
World's Highest Hydraulic Liftlock (1896-1904)

Symmes Hotel, Quebec
Built for Charles Symmes, Founder of Aylmer

National Historic Sites Of Canada System Plan

Common menu bar links

Institutional links