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The Early Years, 1870-1897



National Library of Canada 		 

Several Official Handbooks for immigrants were published annually by the Department of the Interior in the mid-1890s. The cameo harvest scene on the cover set the pattern for advertising the Canadian west for the next 30 years: farmers harvesting their golden grain under a sunny blue sky. The message on the back cover, that there were bustling cities in Canada as well as millions of acres of arable land, was also repeated.

It's noteworthy that this Canadian government publication had to be approved by the British Secretary of State for the Colonies before it could be circulated in Britain. Misleading advertising by some Colonial governments was the reason for censorship.





National Archives of Canada,
Government Archives Division, RG 76

  

In over-populated Britain, government posters regularly advertised opportunities for emigrants to Canada, Australia, South Africa and other parts of the Empire. Canada had not been a "colony" for 21 years when this British poster appeared in 1888!

 




The Immigration Branch had two resident agents in Europe, one based in France and the other in Belgium. Attracting French-speaking immigrants was their priority.

Produced for the new Laurier Liberal government, this was one of the last "old-style" pamphlets produced before Clifford Sifton brought contemporary commercial advertising techniques into the Department of the Interior.

  
National Library of Canada

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The Early Years
1870-1897		 Advertising in Britain
1900-1916		 Advertising in Europe
1900-1920s		 Presenting newcomers to Canada,
1910-1911		 Advertising in the United States
1900-1920s		 Advertising in Britain
1920s
The Early Years, 1870-1897 Advertising in Britain, 1900-1916 Advertising in Europe, 1900-1920s Presenting newcomers to Canada, 1910-1911 Advertising in the United States, 1900-1920s Advertising in Britain, 1920s