Canada and the Global Environment · Term 3

Canada's Natural Resources: Economic Importance

An overview of Canada's major resources (forestry, water, minerals) and their global importance.

About This Topic

Canada's Natural Resources provides an overview of the country's vast wealth in forestry, water, minerals, and energy, and their significance in the global economy. Students examine how Canada's history and economy have been shaped by the extraction and export of raw materials. This topic is essential for understanding Canada's role as a 'resource powerhouse' and the environmental and social trade-offs involved.

Students will investigate the geographic distribution of these resources and the challenges of managing them sustainably. They will also look at the competing interests of industry, government, Indigenous nations, and environmental groups in resource development. This topic comes alive when students can use maps and data to analyze resource patterns and participate in mock negotiations over a proposed resource project.

Active Learning Ideas

Inquiry Circle: Resource Mapping

In small groups, students use a map of Canada to plot the locations of major resource industries (e.g., oil in Alberta, mining in Ontario, forestry in B.C.). They identify the physical reasons why these industries are located where they are.

⏱ 50 min·Small Groups

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Simulation Game: The Resource Negotiation

Students act as representatives of a mining company, a local Indigenous community, and an environmental group. They must negotiate the terms of a new mine, trying to find a balance between economic benefits and environmental protection.

⏱ 75 min·Small Groups

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Gallery Walk: The Life Cycle of a Resource

Display images showing the stages of a resource (e.g., from a tree in a forest to a piece of paper and then to a recycling bin). Students use a 'flowchart' to identify the environmental impact at each stage of the process.

⏱ 40 min·Small Groups

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Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Canada's natural resources will last forever.

What to Teach Instead

Many resources are non-renewable (like minerals and oil), and even renewable resources (like forests and fish) can be depleted if they are not managed carefully. Using 'depletion rate' data can help students understand the importance of sustainability.

Common Misconception

Resource extraction only affects the local environment.

What to Teach Instead

Large-scale resource projects can have global impacts, such as contributing to climate change or affecting global water cycles. A 'local-to-global' impact chart can help students see the broader consequences of resource use.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are Canada's most important natural resources?

Canada is a world leader in many resources, including timber, fresh water, oil and natural gas, and minerals like potash, uranium, and gold. These resources are a major part of Canada's economy and its trade with other countries.

Why is resource management so controversial in Canada?

It's controversial because it often involves difficult trade-offs between economic growth and environmental protection. There are also ongoing disputes over land rights and the failure to consult or share benefits with Indigenous nations on whose traditional territories many resources are found.

What is the difference between renewable and non-renewable resources?

Renewable resources (like forests, water, and wind) can replenish themselves naturally over time if used sustainably. Non-renewable resources (like oil, coal, and minerals) exist in limited amounts and cannot be replaced once they are used up.

How can active learning help students understand Canada's resources?

Active learning, such as the 'Resource Negotiation' simulation, helps students understand that resource decisions are never just about the 'stuff' in the ground. By taking on different roles, they see the complex web of social, economic, and legal issues that surround every major resource project in Canada today.

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