The mass media have been an integral part of life in Canada. Its early developments stem largely from French and British ties, which later transition to American influence, triggering the rise of the media. Mass media has become an outlet capable of connecting key Canadian institutions as well as social and cultural understandings in conjunction with the advancement of technology, industry and urbanization. This article will explore the development of mass media in Canada between the mid-19th century and the 1930s, with particular attention to the factors that contributed to its rise: newspapers, magazines, advertising, as well as radio and film supported by early technological advances. Early European interests in North America influenced the level of reading materials and cultural ideals associated with the region. British control aimed to invest its time in resource exploitation, leaving little room for cultural or intellectual initiatives in a largely illiterate society. Available books and periodicals often came from France and ended up in the hands of the Quebec elite, while English Canada remained dependent on the English (Vipond 15-16). It did not take long for English Canadians to become influenced by their southern neighbors as their mass media expansion seemed stagnant compared to its growth in the United States. The Canadian newspaper's start was slow; however, the introduction of the printing press to the British colonies of Nova Scotia and Quebec in the mid-18th century helped the industry take off. Sharing local news became critically important given the use of local print media to convey information not available in imported media, although its success depended largely on government…half the paper…impact with examples of readily available American ideals had in the country. The advances that newspapers, magazines, advertising, radio and film have experienced reflect the growth and maturity of the Canadian industry. However, Canada's close proximity to the United States soon put a strain on their ability to produce media of similar scope and reach. Social, cultural, political, and economic institutions and conventions grew independently while being stimulated by American success and influence. The dynamic between the two countries and the presence of American media still continues to challenge what Canadians see as their distinct national identity. Beyond the 1930s, Canada continued to develop mass media industries far superior to early successes, and these industries helped create a Canadian identity separate from that of the United States..