Kyle W.
Winnipeg, Manitoba
Red River Heritage Fair
Canadian Pacific Railway
I studied the history of the Canadian Pacific Railway. This included the politics, Chinese workers and the last spike.
What was the most interesting thing you learned about your topic?
I thought that the treatment of the Chinese workers was harsh. The wage was poor, living conditions were rough and the work was gruelling. For every mile of track, four Chinese workers died.
What important lessons have you learned that you want to share with other Canadians?
The Railway was a huge milestone for Canada. If the railway was not constructed, BC would not be part of Canada today. The railway is still just as important today, as it was then.
How would you compare your life today to the lives of those studied in your project?
They were trying to survive. They would risk killing themselves to gain an extra fifty cents per day. Today kids are worrying about what new video game they are going to play, and not appreciating what they really have.