The Truth in Advertising

Advertising was often exaggerated in order to persuade people into coming to Canada West without realizing all the truths about the land. One thing that was never mentioned in advertising was the Winter. The winters were very cold with a lot of snow and lasted often for half the year. Advertisment made it seem as if the weather was always beautiful sunshine with some rain. Another thing that decieved people was the word "free". Many people would have had a mind set that everything was free, while they would actually need to buy many things. They would need to buy farming equipment, animals, build a home, and all the nessecities  for living. Many settlers were very surprised when they came to Canada West, because it was a lot different than the image created in their mind from the advertisment.

Historical Context

Advertisment is what got the attention of tens of thousands to immigrate to Western Canada. By the power or advertising, many people around the world pictures Canada West as the perfect place, a place with no difficulties.
Clifford Sifton's Immigration Department dispelled the advertisment. This was done by pamphlets, newspaper ads, public lectures, posters, as well as free trips to promoters who would encourage settlers to come to Canada. In 1900, the Superintendent of Immigration anounced to the House of Commons the government's strategies of attracting immigrants.

My Canada West Poster

Analysis

Color

·         Red letters over white background symbolizes the colors of Canada's red and white flag.

Symbols/ Images

·         Wheat: showing the successful and bounteous crops that will be granted to settlers in Canada West.

·         Blue Sky: shows the warm air and sunshine, no snow and terrible weather that has been said of Western Canada.

·         Clouds: showing that there will be some rain, not dry and hot land but the perfect weather for crops.

Slogans

·         “Be blest by the land in Canada West” is a catchy slogan, will stick in people’s minds as they consider immigrating. It’s saying that not only your crops will be plenteous, but your life will be blest with the things you want when living in Canada West.

Textual Information

·         Says “free homestead lands available”, and the word “free” will attract many people’s attention. Many will think that by selling their current property and belongings, they’ll be very rich in Canada. People will think they’ve got nothing to lose now.



Canada West

Analysis

Color

·         “Canada West”: written in white and green. The white is for Canada’s flag color and green is symbolizing the green, rich land.

·         White dresses: Sign of pureness.

·         Green grass: Sign of rain and sunshine for good land.

·         Blue sky: Warmth (no snow or cold winters) and sunshine for crops.

·         Entire Poster: very colorful. Its portraying that life in Canada West is without difficulty and hardships, but rather happiness and fullness.

Symbols/ Images

·         Family: the couple looks happily married with healthy children. They look as though their family relationship is perfect.

·         Animals: there are plenty of animals. This portrays plenteous food in the prairies

·         Full grown tree and grass: Showing the weather must be good. Sunshine and rain for grass to be green.

·         Farmhouse: Canada West makes a good, safe home.

·         Large Wheat field: Plentiful crops. Good land to do farming on. Successful income on farm. Also shows crops are perfect, no damage by weather.

·         Train: transportation to towns or cities. Connection to ‘outside’ world still.

·         Blue Sky with clouds: Showing weather is good. Clouds will provide rain, and blue sky shows warmth and sunshine for land.

Slogans

·         On bottom right corner, a box reads, “Farms in Western Canada Free”. This may be received by viewers with a thought that in Canada West, they would be rich. They think they’d be rich because they think they won’t need to pay for things here. This is deception because they’ll need farm supplies and animals and necessities for living.

Textual Information 

·         Names the variety of places available to settle in.

·         Small writing beneath is showing there must be a good government in Canada; with a leading city Ottawa.