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The theme for Expo 67 was based on man’s progress, and it was this sense of
progress in Canada that allowed them to be seen on a global level. This can
be seen through the concept of progress, the construction of St. Helen’s
Island for the Expo 67 site, the theme behind the exhibition, the
theme pavilions which convey the concept of progress and the Expo theme, and
finally, the change in how Canada was viewed internationally.
Expo 67, also known as the World Exhibition of 1967, was
planned for the same year as Canada’s centennial. Canada originally applied in
1958 to hold a world fair but their bid lost to the USSR, who was also
celebrating their fiftieth year of nationhood in the same year as Canada. By
the early 60’s the Soviet Union had decided not to hold the fair anymore and it
was therefore offered to the Canadians. While a lot of Canadians thought that
the fair should be called off, Montreal, led by Mayor Jean Drapeau, rose to
the challenge even though they only had four years to complete it. Many,
including the Prime Minister, believed that they would not be able to
complete it in time.[1]However, Expo 67 was completed on time due to innovative
minds and designers.
Because of the time constraints a lot more money needed to be spent on the construction of the
fair. There have been estimates that approximately 500 million dollars were
spent in the production of Expo 67.[2]
progress in Canada that allowed them to be seen on a global level. This can
be seen through the concept of progress, the construction of St. Helen’s
Island for the Expo 67 site, the theme behind the exhibition, the
theme pavilions which convey the concept of progress and the Expo theme, and
finally, the change in how Canada was viewed internationally.
Expo 67, also known as the World Exhibition of 1967, was
planned for the same year as Canada’s centennial. Canada originally applied in
1958 to hold a world fair but their bid lost to the USSR, who was also
celebrating their fiftieth year of nationhood in the same year as Canada. By
the early 60’s the Soviet Union had decided not to hold the fair anymore and it
was therefore offered to the Canadians. While a lot of Canadians thought that
the fair should be called off, Montreal, led by Mayor Jean Drapeau, rose to
the challenge even though they only had four years to complete it. Many,
including the Prime Minister, believed that they would not be able to
complete it in time.[1]However, Expo 67 was completed on time due to innovative
minds and designers.
Because of the time constraints a lot more money needed to be spent on the construction of the
fair. There have been estimates that approximately 500 million dollars were
spent in the production of Expo 67.[2]