CANADA’S WEALTH.

Putaruru Press, Volume VI, Issue 242, 21 June 1928, Page 1

CANADA’S WEALTH.

Canada’s national wealth is now estimated at twenty-six billion dollars. This is an increase of about three billion dollars in four years. The computation, exclusive of undeveloped natural resources, indicates a per capita wealth of 2,700 dollars. Ontario is ranked as the richest province, with an aggregate wealth of nine billion dollars. Quebec comes second with six and one-fourth billion dollars. Albert and Saskatchewan, two of the coming prairie provinces, represent between them nearly five billion dollars, and British Columbia and Manitoba nearly four million dollars'. Wh,ile Ontario led in amount of wealth, the western provinces come first from a per capita standpoint. Saskatchewan held first rank in this particular with a per capita of 3,554 dollars. British Columbia stood second with 3,539 dollars, Alberta third with 3,459 and Manitoba fourth with 2.909. Ontario was a close fifth, with 2.901 dollars and Quebec sixth with 2.495 dollars. The I Maritime Provinces do not make anything like this showing.

While the manufacturing provinces stand first, it is plain that Canada’s great wealth now and in the future is based on Agriculture. The total agricultural wealth in 1925 approached the eight billion dollar mark. To-day, beyond doubt, it is in excess of that sum. On the basis of the estimated population of 1925 of 9,629,000, the per capita investment in agriculture was 845 dollars. In urban property it was 747 dollars, in steam railways 311 dollars; in the forests 145 dollars, and in p™.-,-!-" 1 furnishings and personal properties it was 129 dollars.

This is a remarkable showing. In order to make comparison with the United States it would be necessary to multiply Canada’s national wealth by 12. This would give an aggregate of three hundred billion dollars, which does not differ greatly from the United States’ 1925 estimate. And since Canada is only entering the period of her real development there is reason for believing that her national wealth figures will expand at a rate that her neighbour to the south will find it hard to exceed, from the percentage standpoint. The possibilities of the Dominion’s future are so great that discussion of them might appear to be exaggeration. In all moderation, however, there is reason for saying that Canada is the coming richest nation of the world. At the least she seems destined to keep pace with the advance in the material marvellous increase sbeing made by the United States.