The Economy of British North America

19th Century

British North America (BNA)

• In the 1800s, BNA was made up of several colonies and territories. The colonies were:

• Province of Canada • Newfoundland• New Brunswick• Nova Scotia• Prince Edward Island• Vancouver Island

Province of Canada mid-1800s

• Canada West (part of what is now Ontario) – farming, lumber, some manufacturing.

• Canada East (part of what is now Quebec) – farming, but shipping in Montreal

Newfoundland mid-1800s

• Cod fishing was the basis of the economy• Some trapping in Labrador (Inuit and Innu)

New Brunswick mid-1800s

• Shipbuilding was the major industry. Also farming and logging

• Trade with USA

Nova Scotia mid-1800s

• Fishing, shipbuilding were major industries.• Also sailors, trade, some farming

Prince Edward Island mid-1800s

• Shipbuilding and farming (absentee landlords who lived in England)

Vancouver Island mid-1800s

• Vancouver Island was a colony and Rupert’s Land, North-Western Territory and New Caledonia were other British territories.

• Fur-trading was the main economic activity