The History of Can-Car
Written by Bryson Irvine
The Early Years
In 1912, workers started the construction of the Fort William CanCar plant to assist in the nation’s railway development plans. With the Canadian government’s desire to expand rail services, there was an increased need for boxcars, and the Fort William CanCar factory would soon be assisting with its production.
Can-Car's First Contracts
In Can-Car: A History, 1912-1992, Gordon Burkowski explained how “by summer of 1914, the plant was still unfinished”(1) and how “it was to stay unfinished for three more years”(2). However, the factory’s completion came at the perfect time, as “the railcar market started to turn around just one year later,”(3) and the Canadian government desperately needed more boxcars.
- Gordon Burkowski, Can-Car: A History, 1912-1992, (Bombardier Inc, Thunder Bay, 1995): 5.
- Ibid.
- Ibid., 6.
Can-Car's History with Military Contracts
The CanCar plant did not just specialize in boxcar production; they also received orders to support the French Navy by building minesweepers in 1918.(4) The CanCar plant significantly contributed to the Canadian economy in the early twentieth century.
4. Gordon Burkowski, Can-Car: A History, 1912-1992, (Bombardier Inc, Thunder Bay, 1995): 10.
Tough Times
Nearing the end of 1918, orders going to CanCar started to decrease dramatically, and by 1921, the plant ceased operations. From 1921 to 1937, there was no production at the factory, and numerous individuals were laid off. However, because of the socio-economic hardships of the Great Depression, politicians and business personnel tried to get the plant running again.(5)
5. Jonathan Grenville Kirton, Canadian Car & Foundry Aircraft Production at Fort William on the Eve of World War II, (The Thunder Bay Historical Museum Society Inc, 2009): 8-9.
The Coming War
In 1937, the time had eventually come, as the rise of Adolph Hitler combined with the financial and social crisis of the Great Depression increased the possibility of another major war. As a result, Canada and its Allies needed the CanCar factories to assist with airplane production to help defeat the Axis Powers. From the production of the Curtiss HellDiver planes to the CCF Maple Leaf Trainer II, employees worked tirelessly to support Canada and the Allied Forces during the war.(6)
6. Ibid.
The Community's Vigor
With the CanCar plant back up and running in full force, people across the community were ecstatic with the factory’s goal of helping in the war effort and the employment opportunities it would present for numerous women and men.
Post-War Woes
CanCar employees continued to work tirelessly during the war on the increasing orders from Allied nations, but as the war ended in 1945, the company laid off numerous people, particularly women. The impact was felt immediately throughout the plant, and many were left wondering what they would do next and how they would support themselves and their families.
Carrying On
Even after the war, the plant was booming with activity, and workers were kept busy. Aircraft production still occurred, but the Fort William CanCar plant also started manufacturing gas and diesel buses, trolley coaches, and streetcars. For example, in 1963, the CanCar plant received a significant order from the Toronto Transit Commission (TTC) to produce 164 Rapid Transit Cars. They received another order in 1973 to manufacture 88 subway cars for the TTC.(7)
7. The Canadian Car Story, Historical Data.
Thank you:
Lakehead University – Department of History
Thunder Bay Community Foundation
Northwestern Ontario Aviation Heritage Center