Canada’s population may reach between 42.9 million and 52.5 million by 2043, and 57 million by 2068. Canada will likely become even dependent on immigration to maintain our population, and the percentage of young people necessary to continue our healthcare system. The solution of course to more people is more land. 41% of Canada’s land mass is federal crown land and 48% is provincial crown land. So, more land is available. Develop of that land in such a way, that people want to live and work there is another question
The Plan
Canada has an enormous undeveloped area called mid-Canada or the middle north corridor. A body of land encompassing the northern half of Alberta,Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Ontario. Totally habitable land. An outdoorsman’s paradise..
A plan proposed in 1968 by Laval academic Louis-Edmond Hamelin, academic B.G. Vanderhill and Canadian veteran, author and land-use pioneer Richard Rohmer, proposed the development of mid-Canada as a method to grow Canada, economically as well as population wise
With the urgent need for Canada’s population to grow, their plan today, is even more valid and more important.
The Mid-Canada Plan proposes the sweeping development of a swath of land stretching fromSudbury Ontario to Churchill Manitoba to Peace River and Hinton Alberta. The proposal would in essence create a new 21st century western land rush for cheap land and opportunity in Canada. Attracting immigrants worldwide, new businesses, and new technologies. Instead of Conestoga wagons, settlers would be driving U-Haul moving vans, but the end result would be the same. Canada would grow in population, in economic power and in international stature.
Infrastructure
Infrastructure is key. The plan would first need the creation of an infrastructure corridor to open up the new area. A major building project reminiscent of the trans Canada Railroad project would be needed. A 21st century service corridor, including an electric rail line from Ottawa to Churchill to Peace River, to Hinton with links to current southern markets. But more than rail, the corridor would need to include a major highway system, Power lines and high-speed Internet cable systems as well. All linked to current provincial transportation systems. New modern, planned,high-tech, towns would spring up on the new land As stated by the Walrus in 2014 if-we-build-it-they-will stay Anchored on Canada’s thriving mining industries as well as modern farming technologies and green energy sources, central Canada will become a new economic powerhouse of innovation
Mining
Mining is a major industry in Canada, and the Mid-Canada project could, both encourage mining development, and benefit from it. Canadians produce the raw materials for making everything from smart phones, solar cells and wind turbines to batteries for electric vehicles.
