Poverty, distress and disease: labour and the construction of the Rideau canal, 1826-1832

The construction of the Rideau Canal, often perceived as a British military engineering project, revealed systemic challenges for workers despite its strategic importance. Despite the involvement of the military, workers faced harsh conditions with little distinction from other public works projects. The study estimates that workers were primarily hired monthly or daily, with minimal piecework opportunities, and engaged in tasks such as excavation, masonry, and construction of wooden structures. The research highlights the lack of detailed records, making precise worker counts difficult, but underscores the prevalence of poverty, distress, and disease among laborers during this period (1826-1832).

Wylie, W. N. T. (2017). Poverty, distress and disease: labour and the construction of the Rideau canal, 1826-1832. The Civil Engineering of Canals and Railways before 1850, 177–199. https://doi.org/10.4324/9781315240633-8