Who Built the Canadian Pacific Railway? Separating Myth From Fact

Was the Canadian Pacific Railway built entirely by Chinese labourers? The short answer is no; while Chinese workers contributed to portions of the project, the full 4,800 kilometres were not built by a single group. The question has persisted in public discourse, yet researchers stress the need for nuance and recognize multiple labor streams over several years. The Canadian Labour Congress cites figures that more than 17,000 Chinese immigrants participated in CPR construction in some capacity. BC NDP Parliamentary Secretary Mable Elmore said that between 1881 and 1884, more than 17,000 Chinese railroad workers came to help with CPR projects. Thus, while Chinese labor played a significant role, the CPR's construction involved other groups and phases across different regions.