A Trading Nation: Canadian Trade Policy from Colonialism to Globalization

Canada has always been a trading nation. From the early days of fur and fish, to the present, when a remarkable 90 per cent of its gross national product is attributable to exports and imports, Canadians have relied on international trade to bolster their economy. This volume addresses the history of Canadian commercial policy in over 50 years. Taking the view that to understand the present and better prepare for the future, you must first comprehend the past, Michael Hart guides the reader through more than three centuries of Canadian trade history. He explains how Canadians have largely come to accept that a country that derives much of its wealth from international commerce has much to gain from an open, well-ordered international economy. Close attention to trade and related economic policy choices, he argues, is crucial if Canada intends to adapt to the challenges of the new globalized economy.