Confederation contributed to the Province's advance in several ways including direct federal spending, social transfers to individuals and funding to the Province to develop the education system, health care, social services and infrastructure. For example, in the first five years of Confederation, an average of 95 miles of new road was completed each year compared with a yearly average of 37 miles for the five years prior. Better infrastructure, combined with higher incomes, spurred consumer spending. During the first 25 years of Confederation the number of passenger motor vehicle registrations per 1,000 population grew almost nine-fold, triple the increase for Canada. Contributions from the Province While it is clear that Newfoundland and Labrador benefitted significantly from union with Canada, it is equally true that the Province played an important role in the progress of Canada.
International trade is a case in point.
With most of the Province's exports destined for international markets and most imports coming from other provinces, Newfoundland and Labrador is one of the highest per capita contributors to Canada's international trade balance, ranking behind only Saskatchewan and Alberta. The Province's position, as a major resource producer, should continue to expand in the future with a burgeoning oil and gas industry and pending developments in Labrador of mineral wealth at Voisey's Bay and new power generation along the Churchill River. Furthermore, the Province's vast coastline, its maritime heritage and abundant marine resources continue to enhance Canada's stature as a preeminent maritime nation. Despite its relatively small population, the Province has a long history of contributing to the social and cultural milieu of the nation. Its people are active in the arts, the military, business, education and politics.