This book investigates the evolution of the Canadian business system and its integration into global capitalist structures over the past five centuries. Authors Graham D. Taylor and Peter A. Baskerville utilize recent scholarship to synthesize the development of Canadian commercial institutions. They examine the interplay between domestic actors and international economic forces to explain how a unique national business environment emerged. The text provides a comprehensive framework for understanding the historical trajectory of trade, investment, and policy in Canada.

Reader & Expert Consensus: Scholars and students of economic history frequently cite this work as a foundational text for understanding the institutional development of the Canadian economy. Experts highlight the authors' ability to synthesize complex historical data into a coherent narrative that remains accessible to those studying the evolution of North American capitalism.