ORIGINALLY PUBLISHED | MARCH 9, 1940 | CANADIAN COUNTRYMAN
This cartoon originally appeared in the March 9, 1940 issue of Canadian Countryman. It is a humorous depiction of the reforestation spirit that was sweeping the nation during this period, particularly in the countryside. The forestry industry in Canada had expanded dramatically from the turn of the century up until 1940, and formed a staple of the country’s economy. Little thought, however, had been paid to conservation efforts during this period. In response to shrinking woodlands, many provincial governments enacted licensing systems designed to regulate logging and encourage reforestation. This would culminate in Ontario with the passage of the 1947 Forest Management Act.