the arrival of the settlers/immigrants:
Free land was very appealing to people at this time. For starters, they could grow their own food and would not have to fear starvation. However, there was no railway and it was still very difficult to get to the Prairies. As a result, the population of the NorthWest Territories increased slowly during the 1870's. Settlers were increasing the population of the West, but the government was impatient. The government wanted to increase the population of the Prairies, so they would have to complete a railway through the region.