Canada's resource economy in transition: The past, present, and future of Canadian staples industries

摘要

The editors of this book pose four questions: "First, what was the traditional staples economy in that sector? Second, how were the various staples industries organized within the centre-periphery or 'metropolis-hinterland' model that characterized Canada's period of staples-led development? Third, how has each sector changed in recent years, and fourth, what factors led to change within each particular industry?" These questions are addressed in a variety of ways over 15 chapters primarily by Canadian academics. Readers are provided with an understanding of staples-based economy in theory and in practice. Consumption industries including agriculture and fisheries, extraction industries including minerals and forests, and transmission industries associated with oil and gas, and water are all considered, highlighting many of the ongoing complexities with resource extraction in Canada. Past, present, and future perspectives on agriculture, aquaculture, minerals, forestry, oil and gas, water, and hydroelectricity are considered within the context of staples theory and practice. The editors conclude that "evidence for a general transition to a post-staples state is mixed, with some trends apparent in this direction, but other industries remaining in a mature staples mode."