Formidable Heritage: Manitoba's North and the Cost of Development 1870 to 1930 (review)

Formidable Heritage provides a ground-breaking account of the expansion of governmental authority and capitalistic enterprise into northern Manitoba for the first sixty years after the creation of the province. Jim Mochoruk helps fill a major gap in our knowledge about western Canadian history by documenting events and forces that shaped Manitoba and adjacent areas of the northwest. While Manitoba did not include much of its northern region, later known as New Manitoba, until 1912, the author also describes developments in that larger area from the 1870s.

Even while Canada retained some characteristics of a British colony, the developing nation created its own colony in Manitoba. Ottawa insisted on controlling Crown lands and resources in the new province. Only gradually, and after fierce struggles, did greater political and economic power move west. The succession of Manitoba premiers who fought for greater status for their province come to life in this book. By 1930, they helped Manitoba became an equal member of the Canadian community of provinces.

Political developments provide the backdrop to Mochoruk's primary interest – the effects of capitalist expansion on the northern economy. Relatively unfettered by taxes, royalties, regulations, and environ-mental concerns, entrepreneurs sought to extract wealth from the forests, waters, and mineral-bearing rock. Decade by decade, Mochoruk describes how businessmen, with the blessing of federal and provincial politicians, sought to exploit the region's riches. This description of northern Manitoba's resource development forms the book's greatest strength.

Although obviously fascinated with the actions of powerful business people and politicians, the author frequently characterizes them as villains. Prime Ministers Macdonald and Mackenzie spent little on Manitoba and Keewatin, while allowing entrepreneurs and missionaries considerable influence. In Mochoruk's opinion, other politicians also failed the region's residents.

At times it appears that Mochoruk applies an inappropriate standard to evaluate that era in northern Manitoba. The values used to judge those who wielded power would have seemed unfamiliar to most early Canadians. In the Manitoba that Mochoruk wishes had existed, strong governments would have limited and regulated development, capitalists would have paid dearly to participate in resource extraction, and residents would have received enriched services. In the author's opinion, politicians should have demanded much more for the region's people in exchange for fish, lumber, hydroelectricity, and minerals. Yet it appears that little development would have taken place had Ottawa and Manitoba insisted that industry pay more. Mochoruk himself provides the details of the delicate and precarious negotiations in the various resource sectors.

The alternatives preferred by Mochoruk – government initiatives or much smaller enterprises – appear unrealistic for the period under study. Had well-funded interests not influenced the region, The Pas and Flin Flon would not have become thriving towns. And provincial and local economies would have remained stagnant. Mochoruk acknowledges that development created thousands of jobs. What he fails to appreciate or convey is that employment and economic activity brought relative prosperity to countless workers. While chronicling the history of development, the author appears unwilling to admit that Manitoba's residents benefited.

Similarly, the criticism of officials for their neglect of the people who inhabited the northern region lacks credibility. Admittedly, those who wielded political and economic power provided few services for northerners. But programs there differed little from those available elsewhere in Canada prior to the expansion of the role of government. Again, Mochoruk applies the standard of a later time to an earlier era.

The author's concern obviously lies with the settlers, labourers, and Aboriginals of the north. Yet he provides no substantial description of those people. In contrast, the reader becomes quite familiar with the villains – the politicians and capitalists who allegedly failed northerners. The people of the north could occupy a greater part in this book. With that balance, the author's arguments might prove more convincing.

Whether readers agree or disagree with interpretative aspects of this history...