PIONEER DAYS

The first settlers didn't know of the salt riches in their new land. The salt supplies they brought with them were soon exhausted. Because salt was so important, trade was quickly established with countries which could supply the settlers' salt needs. Spain, Germany, England, and Poland were all sources of salt. They traded it eagerly for Canada's furs and timber. Salt became one of the most valuable commodities in the early frontier settlements.

It was not until 1820 that salt was produced and sold in Canada. James Monkman and his sons set up a salt business in the Red Deer Peninsula of Manitoba. Boiling natural brine in kettles resulted in a small supply of salt, only enough to satisfy local needs.

In the same year salt was produced in the Mackenzie River District of the Northwest Territories. Through the years there were other salt discoveries, some of minor importance and some leading to the major production areas of today.

In 1866 salt was discovered at Goderich, Ontario, in 1907 at McMurray, in Northern Alberta, in 1912 in Nova Scotia and in 1946 at Unity, Saskatchewan.

Salt has been produced in Goderich continuously since 1867; was produced at Waterways (near McMurray) between 1925 and 1950; has been produced in Nova Scotia since 1918; and in Unity since 1949. Salt is produced in other locations in Canada but it has all been made possible by these early discoveries. They have led to other major developments also, for example, development of the salt deposit at Unity led to the discovery of the world's largest reserves of potash.