The Icelandic Canadian - 01.03.1954, Blaðsíða 20

18
THE ICELANDIC CANADIAN
Spring 1954
.people from all parts of the Common-
wealth. Everywhere we went the fact
I was introduced as a Canadian always
brought forth expressions—almost to
the point of embarrassment—of the
high regard in which Canada and Can-
adians are held. Who is there in this
audience who has not thrilled inward-
ly when he has read in the newspaper
or heard over tl^e radio speeches made
in the United States, London, Paris or
in other parts of the Commonwealth
by those we have elected as our
representatives in Parliament? Yes,
Mr. President, we see in the policies of
the governments that have represented
the people of Canada expressions of
the will of the people of our country.
Our laws, too, express the will of those
who pioneered our country—laws to
preserve law and order; laws designed
to encourage investment in our indus-
tries. I think that in no other country
in the world is there a greater respect
for law and order than we have in
Canada—labour laws protecting those
who work in our industries—laws on
social legislation which, in my opin-
ion, equal, if not surpass, any country
in the world.
Yes, it is well the people of Canada
kept their feet on the ground during
the very difficult years in the first
half of the 20th century—the century
which Sir Wilfred said belongs to
Canada. Nothing is standing our coun-
try in better stead to-day than the
confidence which the people of Can-
ada have created for themselves in all
parts of the world. Millions, yes, bil-
lions of dollars are pouring into Can-
ada for investment in our basic and
secondary industries, and I think I am
safe in saying that we Canadians are
investing in our own country to a
greater extent than at any time in our
history. Yes, Mr. President, again I
say with pride, “I am a Canadian”.
Before I conclude my remarks I
would like to make a few observations
about what has gone on during the
post-war period in the Province
which I know so well—the great
province of British Columbia.
May I first review what has hap-
pened in the way of increase in popula-
tion during the ten-year period cover-
ed by the last census. The increase in
population in British Columbia was
42%, and for comparative purposes,
the increase on a percentage basis was,
Alberta 20%, Ontario 20%, and Que-
bec 20%, with a Dominion average of
under 20%. This Mr. Prseident, will
give you some idea of the expansion
which has taken place in B. C. Figures
for the States to the south of B.C., on
the Pacific indicate that for a compar-
able period California had a 50% in-
crease, Oregon and Washington, with
approximately 40%, so that now there
is a population of approximately 10
million people living on the Pacific
Coast of the U.S., and Canada. In land
area B. C. is equal to Washington,
Oregon and California combined. The
population, in round figures, of Cali-
fornia is 10,665,000, Oregon, 1,700,000
Washington, 2,500,00 — a total of
14,865,000 and B. C„ 1,200,000. The
whole Pacific Coast is moving ahead
at a terrific rate. It is pleasant to know
that B. C. is keeping pace with our
friendly States to the south. I felt it
might be of interest to know how B.
C. is maintaining this terrific increase
in population. The answer must, of
course, lies in employment, much of
which has been provided by large in-
vestments in the development of our
natural resources. Most spectacular of
these is the Aluminum Company
development at Kitimat—forty miles
south of Prince Rupert. The first