Economic Growth in Canada, 1695-1739: Estimates and Analysis

B ) Y constructing rough approximations of constant dollar or real gross domestic product (RGDP) for early Canada (specifically the French colony in and about the St. Lawrence River Valley), I hope to provide a more solid foundation for an understanding of this colony's economic structure and evolution. At present, incoherent statistical and literary sources serve as the basis for most economic commentaries on early Canada. My constant dollar GDP series for i695-I739 enables the computation of a per capita output series and of growth rates for that output. It also facilitates estimating the relative significance of different sectors. Furthermore, these GDP estimates permit an empirically grounded comparison of early Canada with British America, thus placing the economy of the French colony in a North American context. The construction of an RGDP series is made possible by the fairly comprehensive and accurate censuses, particularly from i68o to I739, prepared for Canada by the colonial authorities.' Although these censuses were not designed to account for all output, we can use them to extend and deepen our knowledge of early Canada economy. No consensus exists on Canada's economic condition during the period under scrutiny. ther, two general points of view can be described. The dominant interpretation holds that the economic system remained weak and stagnant, principally owing to exaggerated concentration on the fur trade and to insufficiency of internal or external markets; leading proponents of this view include Harold A.