Staples Theory In Canada

Question: Focus on one particular Political Economy Theory studied during the Course and apply it to the economic history of Canada. Criticize and/or Support its explanatory power and suggest possible avenues to improve the theoretical framework?

To understand, the history of Canada economically, it is important to examine the reasons why the country’s economy formed into its present form. The Staples theory is the most appropriate theory to use when looking into the economic history of Canada due to our vast use of natural resources over time. The theory is very relative and easy to analyze when it comes to the Canadian economy, because of the fact that it can still be used today as an explanatory tool for the Canadian
The economy first shifted to focusing on the extraction of minerals, in particular iron ore. This was because of the invention of the steamboat, and the railway system. These both demanded that there be a massive amount of natural minerals for use. This fueled the completion of the CPR, and the development of many steam ships that transported across the Atlantic. The current staple goods in the Canadian economy today are oil and electricity. Oil is extracted from Alberta and Saskatchewan, and there is the potential for the tar-sands to hold up to three hundred billion barrels of oil (http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com). This influx of oil has resulted in prop communities to pop up with a majority transient male population. For example, to look at Fort McMurray there is a real problem with people taking the money they earn elsewhere, and not staying in Northern Alberta. Canada since the boom of the oil sands has become the leading distributor of oil to the United States (Hayter et al, 2001). Also, it is important to examine the increase in the creation of hydroelectricity mainly from British Columbia. Canada ranks among the top producers of electric power in the world and first in the production of hydroelectricity. In 2001, Canada's total net installed capacity reached 111.1 million kW (http://www.nationsencyclopedia.com). This power is also being harnessed and then exported to the United States. Over time it is clear that the Staples theory is the best way to
In certain, Staples Theory is a very valid way to explain the development of the Canadian Economy to date it just needs a little revision to account for all aspects, and to give the theoretical framework some more stability.

To understand, the history of Canada economically, it is important to examine the reasons why the country’s economy formed into its present form. The Staples theory is the most appropriate theory to use when looking into the economic history of Canada due to our vast use of natural resources over time. The theory is very relative and easy to analyze when it comes to the Canadian economy, because of the fact that it can still be used today as an explanatory
Staples Theory Pg.10 tool for the Canadian economy. The Theory does have a few flaws that were outlined and explained. There are several suggestions put forth in order to change the theoretical framework of Staples theory from these criticisms. To help understand the strengths and weaknesses it is important to look at the views of both early theorists Harold Innis and W.A. Mackintosh The purpose of this paper was too to take Staples Theory and its explanatory power and apply it to the economic history of Canada. Staples Theory has fueled the analytical approaches to the Canadian political