Final answer:
In 1867, a lower percentage of Canadians lived in towns and cities compared to later years, but the exact figure is not provided in the reference material. Urbanization increased with industrialization and immigration at the turn of the 20th century.
Step-by-step explanation:
When Canada became a country in 1867, the number of Canadians living in towns and cities was modest compared to later periods. The trend of urbanization in Canada, similar to that seen in Great Britain and other nations, started becoming more prominent in the latter half of the 19th century, particularly with the onset of industrialization in urban centers like Toronto and Montreal. This increased again with immigration waves at the turn of the 20th century, further bolstering urban populations. However, specific data from 1867 is not detailed in the provided reference material, but it can be inferred that the percentage of urban dwellers was significantly lower than the 20 percent of the world population living in cities by 1900. Industrialization and immigration played key roles in urban growth, with important industries including textile and metal goods production, brewing, flour milling, and the extraction of natural resources.