Vintage Stock Footage

1940 Canada

A remarkable time it was, in 1940 Canada - a period etched deeply into our historical records. The Great Depression still lingered like an unrelenting shadow over the landscape, painting a bleak picture, and unemployment rates remained staggeringly high. Despite this, relief programs and public projects were rolled out to reinvigorate the economy and ease the burdens of the suffering populace. The iconic Trans-Canada Highway was a key project during this period, creating a modern infrastructural lifeline that, metaphorically speaking, knitted together Canada's richly textured territories into a unified whole.

Canada19401940s24 clips shown
Ontario Canada (1940): Yellow Plants And Trees By Day In A Forest In Autumn

Ontario Canada (1940): Yellow Plants And Trees By Day In A Forest In Autumn

Ontario Canada (1940): A Tall Tower With Large Antique Clock And A Flag Flying

Ontario Canada (1940): A Tall Tower With Large Antique Clock And A Flag Flying

Ontario Canada (1940): A Road Map Sign Hanged On A Tree And A Brown Castle With

Ontario Canada (1940): A Road Map Sign Hanged On A Tree And A Brown Castle With

Ontario Canada (1940): Around The World Sea Cruiser

Ontario Canada (1940): Around The World Sea Cruiser

Ontario Canada (1940): A Couple Of Good Size Boats

Ontario Canada (1940): A Couple Of Good Size Boats

Ontario Canada (1940): View Of A Wharf From The Water

Ontario Canada (1940): View Of A Wharf From The Water

Ontario Canada (1940): Movie Of A Woman Standing In Front Of Beautiful Flowers

Ontario Canada (1940): Movie Of A Woman Standing In Front Of Beautiful Flowers

Ontario Canada (1940): View Of Skyscraper Boat And River On A Sunny Day

Ontario Canada (1940): View Of Skyscraper Boat And River On A Sunny Day

Ontario Canada (1940): Camera Films Blue Sky With Thin Clouds While Looking Past A

Ontario Canada (1940): Camera Films Blue Sky With Thin Clouds While Looking Past A

Ontario Canada (1940): Moving View From A Boat On The Water Of A Dock Followed By

Ontario Canada (1940): Moving View From A Boat On The Water Of A Dock Followed By

Ontario Canada (1940): The Memory Of Going To The Lake On A Gloomy Day

Ontario Canada (1940): The Memory Of Going To The Lake On A Gloomy Day

Ontario Canada (1940): A Group Of Ladies Stand Around In Formal Wear In Front Of A

Ontario Canada (1940): A Group Of Ladies Stand Around In Formal Wear In Front Of A

Ontario Canada (1940): Several People Take A Lift From One Side Of A Massive River

Ontario Canada (1940): Several People Take A Lift From One Side Of A Massive River

Ontario Canada (1940): View Of Rocks And Ocean Water On A Cloudy Day

Ontario Canada (1940): View Of Rocks And Ocean Water On A Cloudy Day

Ontario Canada (1940): Water And Ricks Scene Water Running Down A Dam Surrounding

Ontario Canada (1940): Water And Ricks Scene Water Running Down A Dam Surrounding

Ontario Canada (1940): Two Little Children Playing By A Gigantic Waterfall In

Ontario Canada (1940): Two Little Children Playing By A Gigantic Waterfall In

Ontario Canada (1940): Traffic Guard Helping Pedestrians Be Safe In A Tourist

Ontario Canada (1940): Traffic Guard Helping Pedestrians Be Safe In A Tourist

Ontario Canada (1940): Four 1930'S Chauffeur Driven Vehicles Follow The White

Ontario Canada (1940): Four 1930'S Chauffeur Driven Vehicles Follow The White

Ontario Canada (1940): View Of Parking Lot At Niagara Falls On A Bright Sunny Day

Ontario Canada (1940): View Of Parking Lot At Niagara Falls On A Bright Sunny Day

Ontario Canada (1940): Bridge With Cars Parked On It Pans Over To Tall And Wide

Ontario Canada (1940): Bridge With Cars Parked On It Pans Over To Tall And Wide

Ontario Canada (1940): Elevated And Distant View Of Niagara Falls As It Cascades

Ontario Canada (1940): Elevated And Distant View Of Niagara Falls As It Cascades

Ontario Canada (1940): Various Views Of Niagara Falls On A Misty Cloudy Day

Ontario Canada (1940): Various Views Of Niagara Falls On A Misty Cloudy Day

Ontario Canada (1940): Ice Caps Melting Aggressively Into The Earth

Ontario Canada (1940): Ice Caps Melting Aggressively Into The Earth

Ontario Canada (1940): Looking Down On Vintage Vehicles Parked On Street Camera

Ontario Canada (1940): Looking Down On Vintage Vehicles Parked On Street Camera

Frequently asked questions

What kind of 1940 Canada footage is available?

Stockfilm preserves authentic 1940 Canada home movies — 8mm, Super 8, and 16mm reels restored to 4K. Expect candid daily life, streetscapes, travel, family events, and period-accurate fashion and vehicles, all shot on real film stock from the era.

What format was 1940 Canada footage shot on?

Most 1940s home movies were captured on 8mm Standard, 16mm, or — by the late 1960s — Super 8 film. We scan original reels at 4K and color-correct each clip while preserving authentic film grain.

Can I license 1940 Canada stock footage commercially?

Yes. The clips shown on this page are available for royalty-free direct licensing from Stockfilm for film, documentary, advertising, and online use.

Where can I download 1940 Canada archival footage?

Open a clip from the collection above, choose License Direct, and complete checkout to receive the licensed master download from Stockfilm.