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Period: Jan 1, 1400 to
The History of Canadian Trade
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Jan 1, 1497
John Cabot landed in Newfoundland
John Cabot landed in Newfoundland while looking for a route to the Orient to get spices. He instead brought back fish. This led to hundreds of European fishing boats bring back cod to trade and sell in Europe. -
Established First Permanent Settlement
Early 1600s - Samuel de Champlain was sent by France to establish the first permanent settlement to gain control of the fur trade in North America. The French gained a monopoly in the fur trade because of this settlement. -
Radisson and des Groseillier
1660 - Radisson and des Groseillier were prevented from setting up their own company by there French government. -
Formation of the Hudson’s Bay Company
May 2, 1670 - Royal Charter to form a new company, the Hudson’s Bay (now known as the Hudson’s Bay Company), granted by the King. -
Formation of the North West Company
1779 - A group of 16 merchants united to form the North West Company. They became a major competitor to the Hudson’s Bay Company. -
Canadian Fur Trade Banned in the US
1816 - After the war of 1812, the American government passed a law which made it illegal for Canadians to trade furs in the United States. This forced the Hudson’s Bay and North West Company to join forces. -
Major Fur Trade Companies Merge
1821 - The Hudson’s Bay Company and North West Company merged under the Hudson’s Bay Company name. -
Silk Beats Beaver Pelts in Europe
1840 - Silk became more popular in Europe reducing the demined for beaver pelts. The fur trade never has been able to regain its significance. -
The Canadian Pacific Railway
1885 - The Canadian Pacific Railway was completed to the west coast. This provided means to ship goods coast to coast. -
Japan Enters North American Markets
1950s - Japan entered North American markets, bringing its inexpensive electronics, toys and automobiles. -
NAFTA
1993 - Canada signed the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) which worked to eliminate all tariff barriers among Canada, the United States and Mexico by 2008. This led to a huge rise in trade with the countries but mainly between Canada and Mexico. -
FTAA
1994 - Summit of the Americas was held to arrange a free trade agreement called Free Trade Area of the Americas (FTAA). -
Canada - European
July 1, 2009 - Canada established a Free Trade Agreement with the European Free Trade Association. -
Canada - Nigeria/Ghana
January 2013 - Canada is negotiating with Nigeria and Ghana in the area of Extractive Industries, Mining, and Infrastructure. -
Canada - Japan/China/South Korea
7-12 April 2013 - Canada is negotiating trade agreements with China, Japan and South Korea in the area of Information and communication technologies, Enterprise Solutions and Mobile Applications and Medical Imaging.
