THE CANADIAN SHIELD By Samson, Zach, and Jeremy

Where is the Canadian Shield?

Geography

- Makes up nearly half of Canada’s land surface- Stretches from Arctic Islands in the North to

the Canadian-USA Border - Covers parts of Manitoba, Ontario, Quebec

and North West Territories

- Cities include Sudbury, Ottawa, Montreal, Quebec, Iqaluit, Thunder Bay, Winnipeg.

Geology

• Is one of the oldest landforms in the world • Over Millions of years, weathering and erosion, especially from Glaciers, wore the land down to flat bare rock, lakes and wetlands• Thin Soil makes area unsuitable for farming

• Once a volcanic mountain region• Most of the rocks in the area have been changed into metamorphic rocks by heat and pressure• Created many Valuable minerals such as Copper, Gold, Lead,

Diamonds, Platinum and Nickel

Economic Region • Canadian Shield

Economic Development• 1. Aboriginal people such as the Cree hunted, gathered

and fished (traditional economy)• 2. Europeans came to Canada and started the Fur Trade,

which became dominant• 3. Forestry and pulp & paper industry became important

Economic Development (Cont.)• Mines and smelters - important sine early 20th century• Sault Ste. Marie - Algoma Steel has dominated local

economy since 1901

Current Economy• Relies heavily on natural resources• Very sensitive to international prices

- commodities produced fluctuate in price due to global supply-and-demand

• Resources eventually run out and mines shut down

• Communities around mines struggle to survive once they mines close up

• i.e. Schefferville, Quebec, 1981 - Iron Ore Company of Canada closed because the prices for iron were too low to make a profit

• 4000 people left Schefferville after this happened

Current Economy (Cont.)• Solution to the aftermath of shut down mines - nearby

communities don't rely on mines• Mining companies fly in employees and equipment from

other areas• Workers stay for 2-3 weeks in temporary camps• When the mine shuts down, the mine is removed

Challenges• Mines have produced dangerous stockpiles of mineral

waste, known as tailings• Refining operations have produced high levels of sulphur

dioxide and nitrogen oxides, leading to acid rain• Water systems, plants and wildlife are all affected by acid

rain

Population Growth• Many larger mining cities, such as Sudbury, have

developed tourism, recreation, and retirement facilities