The Economy of British Columbia

A ECONOMIC CONNECTION WITH CANADA With the completion of the railway, British Columbia was no longer isolated from the rest of Canada Moreover, trade between British Columbia and Asia rapidly grew due to the harbour in Vancouver These new connections would lead to a boom in the economy of British Columbia, particularly Vancouver

A MINERAL PROVINCE While the amount of gold in BC greatly diminished after the Gold Rush, it still had a constant amount being recovered Other minerals such as silver and copper began being mined extensively in the Kootney region in the 1890s Soon mining towns became showing up all around the area along with giant smelters

THE CITY OF NELSON The largest of the smelters was in the city of Nelson The building of this smelter along with a tramway had a huge impact on the population size of Nelson While the town had just 400 people in 1890, they had 7000 by 1900 The city would get a full electric tram car system and other top of the line facilities

THE OKANAGON In the 1890’s it was discovered that when the soil in the Okanagan was properly irrigated it was perfect for growing orchards By the twentieth century, the Okanagan had a booming orchard farm program

FORESTRY Forestry remained constant in the Hasting Mills area, but would not reach the full force it is at now It would not be until the First World War and the building of the Panama Canal that British Columbia would be the forestry giant it is today