History & Geography · Grade 8 · 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.

• Ontario Curriculum Expectations
• ON: Geography: Global Settlement: Patterns and Sustainability - Grade 8
• ON: Geography: Global Inequalities: Economic Development and Quality of Life - Grade 8

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.

Key Questions

1. Explain how Canada's economy relies on the export of raw materials.
2. Analyze the global demand for Canada's natural resources.
3. Differentiate between renewable and non-renewable resources in the Canadian context.

Learning Objectives

• Classify Canada's major natural resources as renewable or non-renewable, providing specific examples for each.
• Analyze the global demand for Canadian forestry, water, and mineral resources, identifying key importing countries.
• Explain how the export of raw materials contributes to Canada's economic development and global trade position.
• Evaluate the environmental and social trade-offs associated with the extraction and export of natural resources.

Before You Start

Canada's Physical Geography

Why: Students need a foundational understanding of Canada's diverse landscapes and environments to locate and understand the distribution of natural resources.

Introduction to Economics

Why: Basic concepts of supply, demand, and trade are necessary to grasp the economic importance of resource exports.

Key Vocabulary

Renewable Resource	A natural resource that can replenish itself naturally over time, such as forests or water, if managed sustainably.
Non-Renewable Resource	A natural resource that exists in finite quantities and is consumed much faster than it can be regenerated, such as minerals and fossil fuels.
Resource Extraction	The process of removing valuable materials from the Earth, including mining for minerals, logging for timber, and drawing water for use.
Raw Material	A basic material in its natural state, used to produce manufactured goods, often exported by countries like Canada.
Global Demand	The total desire and ability of consumers worldwide to purchase specific natural resources produced by a country.

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.

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

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

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

Real-World Connections

• Forestry companies in British Columbia export timber to the United States and China, impacting local economies and employment in towns like Prince George.
• The mining industry, particularly for metals like nickel and copper, is crucial for Ontario's economy, with products used in electronics and electric vehicles manufactured globally.
• Canada's vast freshwater resources are not only vital for domestic use but also influence international trade agreements related to water management and potential exports.

Assessment Ideas

Quick Check

Provide students with a list of 10 natural resources found in Canada (e.g., timber, diamonds, salmon, oil, fresh water, coal, natural gas, maple syrup, uranium, hydroelectric power). Ask them to categorize each as renewable or non-renewable and write one sentence explaining their choice.

Discussion Prompt

Pose the question: 'Imagine you are advising the Canadian government on resource export policy. What are two key benefits and two key challenges of relying heavily on raw material exports for our economy?' Facilitate a class discussion where students share their perspectives.

Exit Ticket

Ask students to identify one Canadian natural resource and name one country that imports it. Then, have them write one sentence explaining why that resource is economically important to Canada.

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.