Horton Journal of Canadian History ~ Papers

The construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway was a significant economic milestone for Canada. Its creation allowed Western Canada to flourish as a vital component of our country. It began the nationwide transportation of both humans and goods, permitting secluded areas of Canada to become accessible. These once foreign regions could now receive goods from across the country, and share their resources with the rest of Canada.

    Before the Canadian Pacific Railway’s construction, there were several small railway lines scattered across Eastern Canada. In Nova Scotia, there were two lines out of Halifax; one travelling to Truro, and the other to Pictou. In the St. Lawrence Valley, the Great Western Railway Company had built lines that ran from Windsor through London and Hamilton, and then to Niagara Falls. The Grand Trunk Railway ran from Sarnia through to Stratford, Toronto, Montreal, and then to Portland, Maine. As one may notice, all of these railways are located east of Manitoba, leaving Western Canada utterly isolated. It was not until after the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway that the western provinces could flourish economically along with the rest of Canada. (MacDougall, 11)

    When British Columbia entered Confederation in 1871 a railway was deemed a necessity in order to connect it with the rest of Canada. Under the direction of Prime Minister Macdonald, Canada made a promise to British Columbia that a nationwide railway would be built within the next two years and would be completed within ten. (Creighton, 298)

    Throughout the nineteenth century, the United States was becoming more and more economically sound. Aside from the goal of binding Canada together, the Canadian Pacific Railway was built to boost the Canadian economy, and to prevent the United States from expanding their land claims into western Canada. After the United States bought Alaska from Russia, there was much talk of her taking over the whole Pacific coast. Macdonald and the Conservatives knew they had to work fast in building a railroad, as they believed this would strengthen Canada and prevent such unfortunate occurrences. (Creighton, 289)

    Before the nationwide railway could be built, a decision on who would build it had to be made. The Grand Trunk Railway Company wanted to give it a try, but sought to build part of the railway below the Great Lakes through Chicago. This route would have been the easiest, but the Dominion government insisted that every inch of the track be built on Canadian soil. Two other companies also wanted the contract; one headed by D.L. Macpherson and made up of Toronto businessmen, and another under the direction of Sir Hugh Allen. The company headed by Allen was made up of Montreal businessmen and some Americans. Canadians favoured the work of Allen, yet would not have any Americans participating in the project. Macdonald tried to merge the two companies, but a fearful Macpherson did not want to be working under Allen. This railway contract was very sought after. Many knew that the construction of this railroad, and its ability to build a bond between once isolated areas of Canada, was sure to become a historical landmark. (Creighton, 300)

    Macdonald and the Conservatives became frustrated with the motionless situation regarding who would construct the railway. Finally the Government stepped in and formed a new company called the Canadian Pacific Railway Company, with Allen acting as president. Some of the Toronto businessmen joined the company, but none of the Americans were permitted to work for the company. (Canadian Pacific)

    Macdonald was a firm supporter of the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway, and soon after he gave the control of the project over to Allen, a scandal was uncovered. It was discovered that members of Macdonald’s Conservatives accepted large sums of campaign money from Allen, and in turn had promised him the charter. Macdonald was forced to resign. Under the direction of the Liberal Prime Minister Alexander MacKenzie, the Canadian Pacific railway project slowed enormously, as he was a much more conservative spender with government funds. By 1878 Macdonald returned as Prime Minister of Canada. He once again planned for the immediate construction of a nationwide railroad. (Lower, 126)

    As stated in the Canadian Pacific Railway Charter of 1880, the Canadian Pacific Railway Company finally commenced construction in 1881. They received twenty five million dollars and twenty five million acres of land in exchange for building this great railway through many geographical hardships such as muskeg, the Rocky Canadian Shield, the flat tedious prairie stretch, and the unpredictable mountain pass. (The Canadian Pacific Railway Charter, 1880)

    The Canadian Pacific Railway got their land by selecting sections on either side of the main railway. The end result somewhat resembled a checkerboard pattern of Canadian Pacific Railway owned land. After the railway was built they sold the undeveloped land to settlers. Since the government subsidy was only a fraction of the funds needed to complete the railway, the sale of undeveloped land helped to keep the construction on schedule. In the end, the reluctant Dominion Government, which had already paid a fair sum, provided more funds in order for the railway to be completed. (The Canadian Pacific Railway)

    On November 7, 1885, Donald Smith drove the last spike of the Canadian Pacific Railway at Eagle Pass. This spot, in the heart of the mountains, was later named Craigellachie. It remains a national landmark to this day. (Avery, 176)

    The Construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway evoked great changes in the life of a nation. It complemented the Dominion, which was now held securely together with "bonds of steel." The economy began to flourish, as our country could now truly work together for the first time. (Herstein, 283)

    The western provinces of Canada slowly began to open up with the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway. Although the settlement of the west was modestly beginning, it was occurring too slowly for the desires of many. Laurier’s government later began an extensive immigration policy in order to populate the wide-open spaces of the west. (Herstein, 287)

    The settlement along the Canadian Pacific Railway became very successful in the years to come. The production of wheat increased tremendously. This, along with the augment in population, created the need for more transcontinental railway facilities that would be built in the following years. (Herstein, 292)

    After many trials and triumphs surrounding the construction of this great railway, it was finally completed. Much cooperation was needed in order for this project tot get off its feet. Not only was government support a lifeline for this railway, but the support of private companies as well. Without these institutions there would not have been the talent or manpower that was needed to build this railway. Although both government and private support was needed in order to build the Canadian Pacific Railway, great cooperation and patience between these two institutions was vital. (Herstein, 292)

    Slowly but surely, a birth of a nation could be witnessed. The western provinces were becoming populated, goods from across Canada were demanded around the globe, and Canada was working together to become a strong independent nation. Although all of these accomplishments could not be solely credited to the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway, it is more than fair to say that it started a trend of growth and prosperity, allowing Canada to flourish into the successful nation that it is today.

Avery, Donald, Ronald Kirbyson, Donna Goodman and Richard Young. Canada in a North American Perspective. Scarborough, 1989

"Canadian Pacific." http://www.cp.ca/cp/e/11_cp_cnt.htm

Creighton, Luella. Canada: Trial and Triumph. Toronto, 1963

Herstein, H.H, L.J. Hughes and R.C. Kirbyson. Challenge and Survival: The History of Canada. Scarborough, 1970

Lower, J.A.. Canada, An Outline History. Toronto, 1966

Macdougall, Lorne. Canadian Pacific, A brief History. Montreal, 1968

"The Canadian Pacific Railway." http://www.eidnet.org/local/aqueduct/cprcpr.htm

"The Canadian Pacific Railway Charter, 1880." http://www.nlcbnc.ca/confed/docs/doc00012.htm

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