<P> Throughout the industrial world, cities were hit hard during the Great Depression, beginning in 1929 and lasting through most of the 1930s . Worst hit were port cities (as world trade fell) and cities that depended on heavy industry, such as steel and automobiles . Service - oriented cities were hurt less severely . Political centers such as Washington, London and Berlin flourished during the Great Depression, as the expanded role of government added many new jobs . </P> <P> Canada's economy at the time was just starting to industrialize primary industries (agriculture, fishing, mining and logging) to manufacturing . Exports and prices of raw materials plunged, and employment, prices and profits fell in every sector . Canada was the worst - hit (after the United States) because of its economic position . It was further affected as its main trading partners were the U.S. and Britain . </P>

Who was hit hardest during the great depression