Canadian Colonies: Newfoundland, P.E.I., Nova Scotia

• Study notes on Newfoundland, Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Canada East and Canada West

Newfoundland

• Population: 122,000
• Major City: St. John's
• Economy relies heavily on fishing and shipbuilding
• Farming is limited due to poor soil
• Its economy is unstable because it depends mostly on fishing
• Limited farmland means Newfoundland must import food
• Economy: Fishing, shipbuilding, and timber

Prince Edward Island (P.E.I.)

• Population: 80,000
• Major City: Charlottetown
• Farming is the main industry (potatoes are the major crop)
• Most land is used for farming, but many farmers don't own their land
• Many farmers rent land from absentee landlords, making farming difficult
• Isolation from the mainland limits trade and development
• Economy: Farming (especially potatoes)

Nova Scotia

• Population: 324,000
• Major City: Halifax
• Economy depends on fishing, shipbuilding, and farming
• Coal mining is also important
• Over-reliance on trade with the U.S. makes the economy vulnerable
• Declining shipbuilding industry
• Economy: Fishing, shipbuilding, and coal mining

New Brunswick

• Population: 252,000
• Major City: Saint John
• Lumber is the most valuable resource
• Some land is suitable for farming
• Small population means little influence in Confederation
• Limited transportation infrastructure
• Economy: Lumber, shipbuilding, and small-scale farming

Canada East (Now Quebec)

• Population: 1,112,000
• Major Cities: Montreal, Quebec City
• Most people live in rural areas and farm their own land
• The fur trade and lumber industry are important
• French-speaking people feel threatened by English speakers
• Infrastructure for trade require improvement
• Economy: Farming, lumber, and small-scale industries

Canada West (Now Ontario)

• Population: 1,396,000
• Major Cities: Toronto, Ottawa, London, Kingston, Brantford
• Rich farmland supports a strong agricultural economy
• Experiencing increasing industrialization
• Political deadlock between English and French politicians is a problem
• Land disputes and conflicts with Indigenous groups are ongoing
• Economy: Farming, lumber, mills, and shipbuilding

Key Takeaways

• Fishing dominates in Newfoundland and Nova Scotia
• Farming is key in P.E.I. and Canada West
• Lumber is important in New Brunswick and Canada East
• Political conflicts exist in Canada East and Canada West
• Small colonies like P.E.I. and New Brunswick struggle with influence and economic growth