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Canadian Pacific Railway

The Canadian Pacific Railway was Canada’s first transcontinental rail line. Built in the 1880s, it connected the Atlantic to the Pacific and was a key component of Sir John A. Macdonald’s National Policy. The building of the railway, a proposal used to secure British Columbia’s entry into confederation in 1871, became an unparalleled engineering challenge and took 15 years to complete. The project was mired in partisan politics and marred by scandals, labour shortages, racist immigration policies, and the mass displacement of Indigenous people.

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Other Resources

Building the Railway - Province of British Columbia. Content archived on 11 Oct. 2023
Canadian Pacific Historical Association
Canadian Pacific Railway - Wikipedia
Canadian Pacific Railway | Chung Collection
HistoricPlaces.ca - HistoricPlaces.ca
MHS Centennial Business: Canadian Pacific Railway Company
Telling Times: The Canadian Pacific Railway | CPAC

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Nous reconnaissons l'aide financière du Musée canadien de l'histoire à travers les œuvres du programme de référence en ligne financés par le gouvernement du Canada.

We acknowledge the support of the Government of Canada.

Nous reconnaissons l’appui du gouvernement du Canada.

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