Canada’s Early Days Brought Us a Transcontinental Railway. Let’s Restore Our Ability to Build Infrastructure

Canadian Pacific Railway director Hon. Donald A. Smith drives home the symbolic “last spike” in a ceremony marking the completion of the railway in Craigellachie, B.C., on Nov. 7, 1885. The Canadian Press/National Archives of Canada

Commentary

In 1885, a ceremonial final spike was driven into a piece of railway track in B.C. to signify the completion of Canada’s transcontinental railway. The rail line linked the nation from coast to coast, and the federation of Canada would likely never have remained united without it. The line was constructed through some of the roughest terrain on earth, with unforgiving weather conditions and limited technology. Canada had proven itself a tenacious, forward-thinking nation that could get things done. It truly was a wonder of its day.