The Dawn of Industrialization and Urban Growth

Canada, like other industrialized nations, experienced profound societal changes during the late 19th and early 20th centuries, with urbanization being the most visible marker of this transformation. The shift from rural to urban living reshaped the Dominion’s social fabric, introducing new challenges in class relations, regional integration, and cultural tensions between English and French communities.

Between 1901 and 1921, Canada’s population surged from 7.2 million to 8.8 million, with cities expanding at an unprecedented rate. The West, particularly British Columbia, saw explosive growth—its population in 1901 was ten times that of 1871. By 1914, urban dwellers constituted 55% of the population, a figure that climbed to 65% by the 1920s. Cities like Edmonton, Calgary, and Vancouver became symbols of industrial progress, their populations multiplying fivefold in just two decades.

The Social and Economic Impact of Urbanization

Urbanization brought both progress and hardship. The demand for labor drew immigrants and rural Canadians into cities, where factory jobs promised wages but often delivered grueling conditions. Technological advancements, such as mechanized shoe production, increased output but also displaced skilled artisans, replacing them with low-paid, unskilled workers—including children as young as 10.

Housing shortages plagued working-class families, with overcrowded tenements becoming the norm. A 1904 report described dwellings where multiple families shared single rooms, their living conditions dire. Yet, despite these struggles, people continued flocking to cities, lured by the promise of steady income and modern conveniences like electricity and telephones.

Cultural and Religious Tensions in a Changing Nation

Industrialization intensified Canada’s linguistic and religious divides. The Dominion’s policy of assimilating immigrants into English-speaking Protestant culture clashed with the reality of a diverse population. In Quebec, the Catholic Church resisted reforms, while French-Canadian nationalists like Lionel Groulx promoted a separatist vision rooted in cultural preservation.

The Manitoba Schools Question (1890s) and Ontario’s Regulation 17 (1913)—which restricted French-language education—highlighted the enduring conflict between English and French Canada. These disputes, compounded by World War I conscription debates, deepened national divisions, foreshadowing future separatist movements.

The Rise of Social Reform Movements

Industrialization also spurred activism. Women’s suffrage gained momentum, with Manitoba leading the way in 1916. Reformers like Flora MacDonald Denison and Emily Murphy championed gender equality, while social gospel movements advocated for labor rights and temperance. However, prohibition efforts faltered, revealing the limits of moral reform in an industrial economy.

Legacy of Industrialization: A Nation Transformed

By World War II, Canada had fully transitioned into an urban, industrial society. The war’s demand for military production accelerated this shift, pulling rural Canadians into factory jobs and permanently altering the country’s economic landscape. Yet, the social inequalities and cultural conflicts of this era—evident in housing crises, labor exploitation, and linguistic strife—left a lasting imprint.

Today, Canada’s bilingual policies and multicultural identity reflect its struggle to reconcile industrialization’s promises with its challenges. The urbanization wave of the early 20th century not only shaped modern Canadian cities but also set the stage for ongoing debates about equity, identity, and national unity.