THIS WEEK IN BUSINESS HISTORY

Oct. 1, 1908

Henry Ford's Model T was introduced to the car-buying public.

Oct. 2, 1955

The Canadian Unemployment Act went into effect.

Oct. 3, 1987

Canada and the United States reached a free-trade agreement just before a U.S. deadline for completing negotiations. The pact called for elimination of all cross-border trade tariffs within 10 years and the establishment of a common energy market in petroleum, gas, uranium and hydroelectricity. The deal took effect Jan. 1, 1989.

Oct. 5, 1795

The Hudson Bay Co. started building a fur-trading post on the future site of Edmonton.

Oct. 6, 2009

Canwest Global Communications Corp., owners of Global Television and the National Post newspaper, filed for creditor protection in a deal with a key group of lenders, as it sought court approval to restructure a mountain of debt.

Oct. 7, 1913

Oil was discovered at Okotoks, Alta., 45 kilometres from Calgary.