Page "Trent–Severn Waterway" Paragraph 10

The slow progress was noticed by the Canadian government.

In 1878 Prime Minister Sir John A. Macdonald tried to speed up progress by making it government policy to ensure that the system would be completed.

To realize some of the economic benefits of a complete canal system, the Government of Ontario built some of the locks before the Federal government resumed construction.

Despite this, the canal entered a period of slow growth between 1875 and 1900.

Travel was blocked beyond Balsam Lake until the opening of the Kirkfield Lift Lock in 1907.