Final answer:
The Desjardins Canal was constructed to provide Dundas with a better connection to Lake Ontario, which was an important aspect of fostering regional trade and development.
Step-by-step explanation:
The Desjardins Canal was built to give Dundas easier access to Lake Ontario. The overall idea behind the construction of canals during the 19th century in places like the United States and Great Britain, such as the Erie Canal in New York, was to facilitate trade and economic development. The development and expansion of canals, in general, was integral to promoting trade and transmission of goods, by connecting previously unconnected bodies of water and hence opening up new routes for shipping and commerce. This regularized and more cost-effective method of transport played a crucial role in shaping the economic landscape of the era by enabling efficient movement of goods and resources.
Answer: b) give Dundas easier access to Lake Ontario