The Rocky Mountains are North America's
largest mountain system and comprise a significant portion of
the border between Alberta and British Columbia in the southern
half of the two provinces. At the time of Confederation in 1867,
the mountains were a barrier to Canadian unity and needed to be
traversed to unite all of Canada's regions and make the nation a
reality. The area contains two significant mountain passes, and
these comprise important railroad and highway routes: the
Kicking Horse Pass, to the south, and the Yellowhead Pass to the
north. Opening them to people and commerce is a significant
episode of bringing the west into Confederation.
The Rocky Mountains and foothill region is
rich in coal deposits as well as deposits of metals, such as
tin, in the interior of British Columbia. The combination of
geology, expansion of the railways, and settlement incentives
spurred immigration into the area. Many immigrants began to come
to Canada at the end of the 19th century and the trickle became
a stream at the beginning of the 20th century. They came to work
in the building of the railroads and other construction, to work
in forestry camps and, work in the mines and urban areas. Others
worked in tourism-related enterprises including hotels,
restaurants and other aspects of the hospitality industry.
Wayne Hubman
Wayne Hubman looks back at the feeling of camaraderie between
miners, the appreciation for sunshine, and the enjoyment he and
previous generations of his family received from working in the
mines, in this video produced by CFCN Television.
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