Joey W. and Heinrich X.

Wartime Infrastructure in Canada

Joey W. and Heinrich X.
Ottawa Regional Heritage Fair
Ottawa, ON

We researched the St. Lawrence Seaway, the Rideau Canal, Fort Louisbourg, and the Citadelle de Quebec. The St. Lawrence Seaway was first conceived in 1869 but was only built in 1959. In its first year, it carried 18.7 million metric tons of cargo. The Seaway’s navigational seasons have been extending recently. The Rideau Canal is 200 km long and consists of 45 locks, as well as the two on the Tay Canal. It was originally just another path from Kingston to Montreal, but its construction caused the existence of Bytown named after the man who led its construction, Lieutenant Colonel John By. The Fortress of Louisbourg was founded in 1713 by the French. It was named after Louis the XIV. By 1740, it became a thriving centre for trade, and now it is a national historic site, attracting almost 100,000 visitors annually. It is also a popular filming location, having been shown in shows like “Frontier.” One of the most pivotal battles of the Seven Years' War took place at the Citadelle of Quebec. Known as the Battle of Quebec, or the Battle of the Plains of Abraham, it was fought between the French and the British for control of New France. The battle occurred on September 13, 1759, outside the walls of Quebec City. The British forces, led by General James Wolfe, secured a decisive victory over the French, commanded by the Marquis de Montcalm. Just five days after the battle, on September 18, 1759, Quebec City was surrendered to the British. Had the outcome been different, it’s likely that we would be speaking French.

What sources and evidence did you consult for your project? What different perspectives did they provide on your topic?

Here is our bibliography.

What is the historical significance of your topic?

Infrastructure has been in our lives for centuries, and this topic was historically important due to the impact that these projects have had on our country, from early settlers to a growing commercial nation, infrastructure is in our lives, and always will be.

Why did you choose this topic? 

This topic was chosen due to the current impact that it has on our lives, with all the newer, taller buildings, we wanted to know how early infrastructure impacted lives of early settlers.