What was the economy like in Canada during World War 2?

There's a lot of information out there about the economy of the U.S. and Europe and Germany, but does anyone know any specific struggles or (it doesn't even have to be a struggle) what kinds of thing Canadians were going through at the time of WWII?





ex. Were we low on certain resources? Were people who normally didn't work having to work to support their families during a time of struggle?





Even if you just post a good website it would be very helpful! Thank you!|||http://www.linksnorth.com/canada-history鈥?/a> and IN 1939, Canada was a mainly agricultural country with over 60 percent of the population living in rural towns or on farms. The industrial sector was concentrated in Quebec and Ontario, and most exports were raw materials from the forests, and mines.





The need to clothe, feed and equip the Canadian armed forces required a complete overhaul of Canadian manufacturing plants and processes. Many smaller towns became regional centers of manufacturing, based on what was needed by the military. Railway lines that were all ready in existance were designated as places that factories would be built beside.





With so many men going into the service, women were ecouraged to go to work in "war factories" where they learned completely new skills and got paid well, too. Soon things were operating around the clock, with three shifts, six days a week. Kids were brought to work, and care centres at the plant were normal. Teen agers were allowed to go to full time work at age 14, to supplement the work force.





Building of new military bases, as well as air fields, and ship yards, brought the need for more lumber, steel, and asphalt, and concrete supplies, as well as construction equipment. Making a simple thing like a naval life jacket produced many small companies in small towns. Sone of them are still in business.





Food production was increased, and so was the out put of home gardens. People were encouraged to grow their own vegetables.





Production of consumer goods stopped, and the factories were conveted to war production. For example, Inglis Appliances, in Toronto made Bren Machine Guns, and Sten sub Machine guns, and General Electric made search lights and radar for ships. Canadian Steel Car in Hamilton switched from making freight cars , to making fighter planes. General Motors in Oshawa, made over ONE MILLION trucks in WW2.