In the early settlements of Canada, rum played a central and troubling role in the economy, particularly in Newfoundland and Nova Scotia. This is explored in Allan Greer’s book, "Canada in the Age of Rum," which details how alcohol became deeply embedded in rural economies and social practices, often leading to grim outcomes.

Newfoundland’s demographic comprised a transient, predominantly male fishing workforce that significantly impacted rum consumption. By 1770, it was estimated that every adult consumed an average of 34.6 liters of rum a year. This staggering amount was influenced by the male-dominated and mobile nature of the population, along with a common belief that alcohol could combat the harsh northern climate. However, the darker side of rum’s ubiquity was its entrenchment in an exploitative economic system known as the truck system. This system left fishers hopelessly indebted to merchants who supplied their needs for fishing equipment and provisions, requiring their labor in return.

Even more distressing was the way fishers would often be paid in rum instead of cash. The rates for rum were exorbitantly inflated, sometimes with markups of up to 480%, forcing laborers to continue their dependence on the very merchants that kept them in debt. The resulting cycle not only exploited workers but also contributed to a culture of violence and desperation.

In Nova Scotia, the impact of rum extended beyond fishing, penetrating other areas such as farming and timber. Here, alcohol served as a form of quasi-currency and contributed to violent incidents, with individuals often turning on each other after drunken brawls. An observer noted that the local farmers were too reliant on rum to even cultivate their lands properly, reflecting a pervasive addiction that stymied economic progress.

This connection between rum and societal health—with increased poverty and violence—marks a significant period in Canada’s history, revealing how deeply intertwined alcohol was with economic and social systems, often to destructive ends. Greer’s work sheds light on a time when raising a glass was not a celebratory act but rather a harbinger of hardship.