History
How long ago was the HBC founded.
The HBC was founded 355 years ago (as of 2025)
How many employees did the HBC have at the beginning?
The HBC had just about 500 employees in the beginning
What has the HBC applied for.
The HBC has applied for creditor protection.
What was the HBC's territory called?
The HBC's territory was called Rupert's Lands.
When did the HBC celebrate its 250th anniversary?
The HBC celebrated its 250th anniversary in 1920.
How did the HBC gain land from the Indigenous peoples, and why did they need this land.
The HBC negotiated treaties and land sales as its trading posts expanded, and more settlers moved in.
Which crisis ended the big department store era.
The Coronavirus disease ended the big department store era.
Why was the eastern part of the continent called "Beavered out"
The eastern part of the continent was called "Beavered out" because they'd been hunted or trapped to the point where there weren't enough to go around.
What did the HBC do in 1821?
In 1821 the HBC merged with its biggest competitor, the North West Company.
What sickness did the European settlers bring to the Indigenous peoples, how did it affect them.
The European settlers brought smallpox to the Indigenous peoples. Smallpox took a giant toll on some Indigenous communities, causing widespread sickness and death.
What is the likelihood HBC can continue to operate? How much money does it owe, and how much does it have.
It is very unlikely that the HBC can continue to operate. The company owes over 1.1 billion dollars while having just 3.3 million dollars in cash.
How big was the region that was included in the royal charter.
The charter gave them exclusive rights over a massive territory which covered 40% of present day Canada.
What happened in three years after the confederation?
How was the relationship between the Indigenous Nations and the HBC, explain.
Indigenous Nation's relationship with the HBC was complex. As their economic dependence on the fur trade grew, it disrupted traditional ways of life for the Indigenous ways of life.
Describe how retail changed about 30 years ago.
Retail changed 30 years ago when the rapid rise of large discount retailers, and large e-commerce company like Amazon came.
Describe how the HBC transformed its business model after the fur trade declined.
The HBC transformed its business model after the fur trade declined by shifting its focus to department store retailing. It opened venues across the country that sold everything.
When and how was the Hudson’s Bay Company founded?
It was founded in 1670 when England's King Charles II granted a royal charter to two French explorers, Pierre-Esprit Radisson and Médard Chouart des Groseilliers.
How was the HBC different from New France, explain.
The HBC was different from New France because they weren't separate from the indigenous groups they were trading with but integrated with those around them.
Describe the HBC's current financial state, how many people will be affected if it closes.
The HBC's is facing a bleak future, all but 6 of its 93 stores will likely close soon. But the six surviving stores are also at serious risk. If no solution is found over 9300 employees will lose their jobs.
Describe the role that the HBC played in the region that the royal charter granted them before the confederation. List at least 2 things that they were responsible for.
HBC acted as the governing authority in the region that the royal charter granted them. They were responsible for laws, Indigenous relations and trading policies.