Présentation

The Rideau Canal, constructed in the early 19th century, emerged as a strategic response to the vulnerabilities exposed during the War of 1812. This engineering feat facilitated the development of Ottawa by providing an alternative route to the Saint Lawrence River, fostering economic growth and urban expansion. The canal's construction, overseen by Lieutenant-Colonel John By, also spurred the establishment of military infrastructure and residential areas, including the Haute-Ville and Basse-Ville. By 1828, Bytown (later Ottawa) had grown to nearly 1,000 inhabitants, with its economy significantly boosted by the forestry industry in subsequent decades.

Cardinal, L., Gilbert, A., & Hotte, L. (2012). Présentation. Francophonies d’Amérique, (34), 9. https://doi.org/10.7202/1023778ar