Canada during the world economic crisis of 1929-1933

Abstract

According to the Census of Industry, industrial capacity utilization in early 1932 ranged from 25% in the protectionist machinery industry to 70% in the textile industry. The steel industry cut production to 10% of 1920 levels, automobile production by 16, and rolling stock plants and foundries by 25%.

In the first quarter of 1933, the lowest levels of the main indicators and the entrepreneurial activity of the economy, the physical volume of production and production, the volume of exports and imports, wholesale prices and retail sales of department stores were observed. The curve of new investments continued. It declined until the middle of 1933, and thereafter the increase was so insignificant that the annual figure was lower than that of 1932. The highest level of employment was recorded in the second quarter of 1933.