MacDonald’s policies hit the Maritimes hardest; its economic productivity led to a prolonged economic and population decline, where they were unable to sustain their manufacturing industry and prowess in exporting goods.
From the onset, Atlantic Canada was reluctant to join Confederation for fear of losing its autonomy, prior to the National Policy. They remained firm on free-trade with the United States, which contrasted the protectionism of Central Canada.
“The force of the metropolis in manufacturing was exerted most dramatically in the 1890s and early 1900s through the takeovers and subsequent dismantling of key manufacturing industries, including cotton textiles, rope and cordage, sugar, glass, and paint — almost all by corporations headquartered in Montreal.”
Canada destroyed maritime economy to grow Montreal and Toronto and British pressured them to enter confederation, where they lost all bargaining power to prevent the destruction of their economy and consolidation of business and trade to Quebec. In modern times, Pierre Trudeau guaranteed the end of maritime prosperity through economic policies and the construction of the St Lawrence seaway.
For those unaware, Halifax is one of hte largest icefree harbours in the world and an east coast hub where massive trade between Europe and America used to take place. It should be one of the largest ports and cities in Canada and hub of economic prosperity, yet billions were spent (inflation adjusted, including maintenence and dredging, etc) to make sure Quebec was turned into our main seaport for goods with the St Lawrence, bypassing all maritime economies.
When John A took away all power from the provinces, they lost their ability to set tariffs and levies and do any trade that did not benefit central Canada. The push to settle the west that came later also came at the expense of the maritimes and policies worked to actively prevent settling there and affect businesses.
The amount of money in equalization and support maritimes receive today is nothing in comparison to what Quebec has taken and almost all economic devestation to the maritimes can be traced back to confederation. Entire population was effectively enslaved at that point by force despite massive parties and population that were all against it. To this day, the policies laid out by John A at the time and the final nail in coffin by Trudeau can be easily traced and pointed at as to why the maritimes are the way they are today.
Why don’t they take this bubble seriously and separate already?
Oh, same reason Quebec won’t do it: equalization.
https://thenationaltelegraph.com/national/blog-post-title-one-5yfel
Canada destroyed maritime economy to grow Montreal and Toronto and British pressured them to enter confederation, where they lost all bargaining power to prevent the destruction of their economy and consolidation of business and trade to Quebec. In modern times, Pierre Trudeau guaranteed the end of maritime prosperity through economic policies and the construction of the St Lawrence seaway.
For those unaware, Halifax is one of hte largest icefree harbours in the world and an east coast hub where massive trade between Europe and America used to take place. It should be one of the largest ports and cities in Canada and hub of economic prosperity, yet billions were spent (inflation adjusted, including maintenence and dredging, etc) to make sure Quebec was turned into our main seaport for goods with the St Lawrence, bypassing all maritime economies.
When John A took away all power from the provinces, they lost their ability to set tariffs and levies and do any trade that did not benefit central Canada. The push to settle the west that came later also came at the expense of the maritimes and policies worked to actively prevent settling there and affect businesses.
The amount of money in equalization and support maritimes receive today is nothing in comparison to what Quebec has taken and almost all economic devestation to the maritimes can be traced back to confederation. Entire population was effectively enslaved at that point by force despite massive parties and population that were all against it. To this day, the policies laid out by John A at the time and the final nail in coffin by Trudeau can be easily traced and pointed at as to why the maritimes are the way they are today.