Natural Resources Canada

The boundaries of the districts within the Northwest Territories are redescribed in 1920. Canada’s long and diversified settlement history is reflected in the two distinct patterns of boundaries that differentiate between eastern and western Canada.

In 1927, the boundary between Canada and Newfoundland is defined by the Imperial Privy Council. Canada’s long and diversified settlement history is reflected in the two distinct patterns of boundaries that differentiate between eastern and western Canada.

In 1949, Newfoundland enters Confederation as the tenth province with the boundaries as delimited in 1927. Canada’s long and diversified settlement history is reflected in the two distinct patterns of boundaries that differentiate between eastern and western Canada.

Nunavut becomes Canada's third territory on April 1, 1999. For the first time since the entry of Newfoundland into Confederation fifty years before, the internal boundaries of Canada have changed. The boundaries of this new territory respect the traditional Aboriginal concept of territoriality.

In 1996, Canadian exports of cattle and beef accounted for 2.1 billion, the second single largest agricultural export product after wheat ($4.7 billion). Although 72% of the cow-calf farms are in Western Canada, Eastern Canada is still an important meat producer and represents most of the...

Dairy farming generated more than $3.9 billion in farm sales in 1997. Dairy farming is one of Canada’s most important agricultural activities, ranking first in total farm sales in Quebec, Ontario, and Nova Scotia in 1997. Most of the dairy farms in Canada are in Quebec (37%) and Ontario (33%). In...

Small farms are defined here as those with product sales of $40 000 or less before expenses are deducted, based on the value of a dollar in 1995. Small farms accounted for half (or 139 000) of all Canadian census farms in 1996. Many small farms are not making money, after subtracting operating...

Wheat is the most important economic crop in Canada. Wheat is grown commercially in all provinces except Newfoundland and Labrador, with most of the production being concentrated in the Prairie Provinces and Ontario. In 1996, production was just short of 30 million tonnes. The domestic use of...

Canada has one of the most plentiful supplies of fresh water in the world. However, this supply is not limitless, and must be shared among many users. The agriculture sector is one of many competitors for this resource: It uses about 9% of the water withdrawn in Canada. The four western provinces...

Potatoes, especially processing potatoes, have become a major Canadian commodity; the 2002 crop had a total farm value of 978.0 million Canadian dollars. In the 1999 to 2000 crop year, Canada exported 637.3 million Canadian dollars worth of frozen fries and imported 18.1 million Canadian dollars...

Canada’s greenhouse area doubled between 1991 and 2001, to about 17.9 million square metres. Flowers have traditionally been the main greenhouse commodity, accounting for more than two-thirds of greenhouse sales in 2001. However, the demand for top-quality salad makings is so great that...

Grapes, especially the best wine grapes, need mild winters and hot summers. In Canada, these conditions are found in relatively small pockets in the most southerly regions of the country. About 80% of the grapes grown in Canada are used for wine production. Canadian producers sold about 1 billion...

Large livestock farms (which includes very large livestock farms) have been expanding in the last few years. This reflects the trend throughout Canadian agriculture towards fewer, larger farms producing more food, either for Canadian tables or for export. Large livestock farms are found in most...

Large livestock farms (which includes very large livestock farms) have been expanding in the last few years. This reflects the trend throughout Canadian agriculture towards fewer, larger farms producing more food, either for Canadian tables or for export. Large livestock farms are found in most...

Kimberlites are rock formation where diamonds can be found. Diamonds form at a depth greater than 150 kilometres within the earth. After their formation, diamonds are carried to the surface of the earth by strong volcanic activity. This mixture of magma, transported rock and diamonds forms pipes...

In the 1960s, several mining companies started systematically exploring for diamonds in Canada. Today, in addition to the Ekati mine, other diamond projects could reach production within few years. This map shows the location of the main Canadian diamond exploration areas to the year 1997.

Minerals associated with diamond source rocks found in glacial sediments indicate presence of a kimberlite. To a certain extent it also gives an evaluation of the potential presence of diamonds. Regional ice advance and retreat pattern knowledge, combined with geophysical analysis, help to find...

In the 1960s, several mining companies started systematically exploring for diamonds in Canada. Today, in addition to the Ekati mine, other diamond projects could reach production within few years. This map shows the location of the main Canadian diamond exploration areas to the year 1997.

This map shows the 815 generating stations with a capacity of 500 kilowatts or greater classed by the principal fuel used. Two fuels are dominant: water power (hydro-electricity) and petroleum products. The pattern of hydro plants across Canada is partly explained by Canada's geology: areas that...

This map shows the 815 generating stations with a capacity of 500 kilowatts or greater, classed by the type of company operating them. Most plants are operated by utilities, but nearly one-quarter of all plants are operated by other industries. All three industries identified in the map legend...