CANAL CONSTRUCTION IN CANADA.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXV, Issue 37, 12 February 1913, Page 4

CANAL CONSTRUCTION IN CANADA.

.Recent industrial and agricultural developments in Canada have had the effect of directing attention to the necessity for inland waterway improvements as well as an increase of the facilities for handling cargo at the different ports. As a matter of fact, several big schemes have been under consideration for a number of years, and, although expert opinion has differed in regard to the urgency of the Welland and Georgian Bay projects, the former is to be taken in hand first. Tins involves an enlargement of the canal which connects Lake Ontario and Lake Eric, at an estimated cost of 40,000,000 dollars. Plans were completed last summer, and, in connection with them, it is also intended to deepen the channel of the Uppei St. Lawrence, An even more ambitious scheme, and one which, it is expected, will soon bo in operation, provides for the cutting of a canal from Georgian Bay, or Lake Huron, to the St. Lawrence, near Montreal, by linking up and deepening the rivers between them. The length of this waterway will be 430 miles, and whei completed ocean-going vessels of from 8000 to 10,000 tons, drawing 22 feet of water, should be able to steam from the head of Lake Superior to Europe. As regards distance, it will effect r saving of 800 miles over the Unitec States route via New York. Ye*t another canal is projected from the heat of Lake Superior through the Lake oi the Woods, and Lake Winnipeg, thence by the Saskatchewan River to Edmon ton, where it will be joined by othei canals in connection with the Peace River and the great lakes of the North, west, thus opening up a waterway throughout the length of the Demin ion, and increasing the value of the land for settlement and investment The completion of these schemes will, however, call for an enormous expenditure