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Bridging the St. Lawrence

Broadcast Date: Aug. 10, 1954

American and Canadian officials have been discussing joint hydro and canal developments for the upper St. Lawrence River since the 1930s. Connecting the Great Lakes, the St. Lawrence River and the Atlantic Ocean, the St. Lawrence Seaway will expand Canada's economic trade routes to the U.S – and beyond. After many years of political wrangling and delay tactics south of the border, Prime Minister St-Laurent's negotiations finally secure a deal. Sounding like a man who just won the lottery, St-Laurent's speech at the groundbreaking ceremony speaks of friendship, co-operation and a common goal.

Bridging the St. Lawrence

• Hoping to finally get the project started, St-Laurent stepped up the pressure, meeting with U.S. President Truman in February 1949 and then in September 1951. But American resistance was high. Rail and industrial companies, in particular, were concerned that the project would devastate their livelihoods. When Ontario's need for additional sources of power grew more urgent, St-Laurent finally told the president Canadians were impatient and would undertake the project unilaterally.

• Despite the threat of unilateral action, St-Laurent still preferred a co-operative effort and his conciliatory tone angered some Canadians. After returning home without a deal in 1951, the prime minister was attacked in the Toronto Globe and Mail. It accused him of not standing up to the Americans because of "the lure of Yankee dollars" and his desire to "save dollars which nobody asked him to save."

• When St-Laurent finally initiated Canada's unilateral action, the Americans, with President Eisenhower at the helm, came on board at last. It has been said that the agreement cost over $470 million Cdn and that Canada paid $336.5 million Cdn while the Americans paid the rest.

• At the groundbreaking ceremony in Cornwall, Ont., St-Laurent was joined by Ontario Premier Leslie Frost and New York Governor Thomas E. Dewey.
• The seaway project was a particularly significant for the internationalist St-Laurent as it enhanced Canada's role as an economic and world player. To learn more click here.

Bridging the St. Lawrence

Medium: Radio

Program: CBC Radio News Special

Broadcast Date: Aug. 10, 1954

Duration: 10:28

Photo: St. Lawrence Seaway Authority

Last updated:
Dec. 30, 2008