STORYTELLING – Literature
The Beginning
The evolution of Canadian literature begins with explorers, travelers, and British officers who documented their impressions of British North America in unadorned narratives of travel and exploration. The 1860s marked a turning point, as advances in paper production, printing technologies, and transportation fostered a flourishing literary environment, leading to the widespread availability of mass-produced books by the early 1900s.
The 1900's
The twentieth century witnessed significant shifts in Canadian literary preferences. Early decades saw local cultural novels gaining prominence over historical romances, while the poetry of the 1930s and ’40s reflected contemporary concerns: the Great Depression, the rise of fascism, and World War II.
By the 1960s and ’70s, writers were subverting traditional conventions, embracing surrealist, self-reflexive, feminist, and parodic modes. Though historical events and place-based imagination remained central themes, narrative forms became increasingly experimental and playful.
The 1980s and ’90s brought further evolution as writers renegotiated concepts of self, nation, belonging, and loss, challenging traditional gender and genre boundaries. While history continued to influence all forms of Canadian writing, regional fiction maintained its momentum. This period also saw the emergence of numerous First Nations, Métis, and Inuit writers who, resisting Western concepts, explored their oral traditions, myths, and cultural practices.
This rich literary heritage has fostered a nation of engaged readers. By 1991, Canadians had become notably more active than in 1978, with increased leisure time devoted to various activities, including reading. The percentage of Canadians reading for pleasure rose from 88 percent in 1978 to 94 percent in 1991, with average reading time increasing from 6 to 7 hours. Book reading showed particularly significant growth, rising from 2.7 hours in 1978 to 4.4 hours in 1991, a 60 percent increase. Older Canadians (65 years and over) demonstrated especially marked improvements in reading engagement, possibly reflecting both the long-term benefits of universal public education implemented in the 1940s and the more active, healthy lifestyles of contemporary seniors.
COVID
Reading holds a commanding position among modern leisure activities, ranking as the third most time-consuming pursuit in Canada, surpassed only by television viewing (approximately 14.4 hours of combined news and programming) and music listening. The significance of reading in contemporary life is evidenced by the fact that nearly one-sixth of all discretionary time is devoted to this activity, with Canadians demonstrating their commitment through substantial investments in books and regular bookstore visits.
The evolution of technology has transformed reading habits while reinforcing reading’s fundamental importance in society. Despite initial concerns about the impact of electronic media, the emergence of television, video recorders, and computers has actually enhanced rather than diminished the role of the written word in our post-industrial order. This was particularly evident during the COVID-19 period, when reading levels remained stable as a leisure activity. The pandemic period saw a shift in reading methods, with tablets and computers becoming preferred reading devices, while traditional print materials experienced some decline. Audio books emerged as an increasingly popular format, with approximately half of adult Canadians engaging with either traditional or audio books on a weekly basis.
In the contemporary cultural landscape, reading continues to serve as a crucial form of expression and communication, reaching more individuals than ever before. Rather than weakening its position, the democratization of reading through technological advancement has strengthened its role in modern civilization, making it more accessible as a means of leisure, consciousness-raising, and enjoyment.