The beaver, certainly. The Canadian fur trade was a foundation for Canada's culture of "peace, order, and good government" vs. the USA's historical conquering of their "Wild West" and the practise of "Manifest Destiny". The Canadian fur trade, conducted by the Company of Adventurers trading into Hudson's Bay was for practical purposes the government of the British North America colony long before there was any official British or Canadian government in Rupert's land. We had to get along with our aboriginal peoples, at least enough to conduct profitable business. The Hudson's Bay company based in London, and the North West company based in Montreal are the only tangible reasons why Canada exists as it is today. They formed the basis of territorial claims so that Canada was not taken over by our somewhat over ambitious and acquisitive southern neighbours (and more recently friends).
Last edited by castnblast; 05/17/17. Reason: removed a word
