The Great Depression in

Canada By R. Antonio Granillo

The Provinces of Canada

• Canada experienced a similar economic boom to the US, especially in industrial regions

• The more rural provinces experienced gradual economic decline

• rapid urbanization led to greater governmental debt (expansion of highways/railways, secondary education, administrative costs, etc.)

• as industrialization expanded, Canada became reliant on foreign trade

Before the Great Depression: Economy

Before the Great Depression: Culture

• ice-hockey became the national sport of Canada, enjoyed by both English and French-speaking Canadians alike

• American influence was evident in the media

• In English-speaking Canada, new painters created a wave of nationalism, known as the Group of Seven

• In Quebec (French-speaking Canada), poetry became a new and popular outlet for French culture

• experienced dramatic unemployment

• because of the increased industrial economy, it suffered less than other provinces during the Great Depression

• middle-class and upper-class individuals suffered little, as the cost of living decreased exorbitantly during the Great Depression

The Great Depression in Ontario

The Great Depression in Quebec

• like other provinces, the farmers were affected most by the Great Depression

• before the Great Depression, the economy was designed around natural resources

• local government provided direct relief once public work projects proved unsatisfactory; $24.8 million was spent on these measures

The Great Depression in British Columbia

• 1935: after “relief” camps were built in British Columbia, many men moved to the city, Vancouver, and gathered as a mass of 1,000; under Arthur “Slim” Evans, these men made the Ottawa Trek, then concluding with the Regina Riot

• As employment became scarce, immigration tensions rose quickly between White Canadians and Asian immigrants

The Great Depression in The Maritimes

• the provinces of New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Prince Edward Island heavily relied on fishing and the coal-steel industry for economic prosperity

• since trade practically ceased during the Great Depression, the local economies of these provinces suffered substantially

• the proximity to Europe meant much immigration; however, the Great Depression created a xenophobic attitude towards recent immigrants by Canadians

The Great Depression in the Prairies

• the provinces of Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan heavily relied on wheat as an exported product for economic prosperity

• provinces experienced major drought from 1933 to 1937, thus leading to dust bowls, especially in Saskatchewan

• 1919: Winnipeg General Strikes, although before the Great Depression, this six-week protest was influential in the empowerment of the labor force nationwide, thus leading to social reform during and after the Great Depression

The Great Depression in Newfoundland and Labrador

• the chaos in local government resulted in the territory requesting help from Britain in 1934; result of lack of faith by affluent population (élite)

• a quarter of the province’s population was under government relief in 1933 and 1934

• like the Maritimes, Newfoundland and Labrador experienced a dramatic decline in foreign trade of fish and coal

The Great Depression in Northwest and Yukon Territories

• Because of the small population and wealth of natural resources, especially oil, these far northern territories were the least affected during the Great Depression

• the main effect was the decrease in government funding, which hindered political activity in the area

• specifically in the Northwest Territories, hunting game was diminished because of the decrease in government funding

Government Policy

• The Great Depression instigated political reform that involved more government control

• 1927: the Old Age Pensions Act creates a program that gives funds to Canadians over the age of 70 who exhibit financial struggles; beginning of a Canadian social security system

• 1934: the Bank of Canada Act establishes a national bank that oversees monetary policy, bank notes, financial system, and funds management

• 1935: the Canadian Wheat Board (CWB) is established to implement stable and regulated prices for wheat, and eventually, oats, and barley; competition is now feasible between individual farmers and large corporations

R. B. Bennett

• replaced King as prime minister (premier) in 1930

• initially supported capitalism and catered many policies to big-businesses

• as the Great Depression progressed, however, Bennett implemented the Imperial Preference Policy, a trade reform that emphasized British trade and discouraged other foreign trade by increasing tariffs and imposing new taxes

• as an attempt to mirror US President FDR, Bennett announced a Canadian “New Deal,” which would establish new social programs in the country; proved unsuccessful because of constitutionality

Political Responses to the Great Depression

• Cooperative Commonwealth Federation (CCF): first led by J. S. Woodsworth, a democratic socialist party that sought reform and implementation of social services; made up of labor and farmer activists; established in 1932

• Social Credit: developed by William Aberhart, a policy implemented in Alberta that gave $25 to every farmer, encouraging consumer spending; slow to implement in Alberta, never implemented nationally

• Union Nationale: a conservative party, comprised of the Ecole Sociale Populaire among other smaller parties; established a strict regime in Quebec that promoted francophone nationalism and destroyed any Communist or Socialist movements; led by Maurice Duplessis in in 1936

Political Responses to the Great Depression con.

• The Communist Party of Canada: established in 1921, in relation with Communist International, an international organization spearheaded by the Soviet Union that oversaw all Communist activities, was the extremist party of Canada

• Ontario Liberals: led by Mitchell Hepburn, premier of Ontario, operated this Liberal party from a moderate, slightly conservative perspective; however, this party did advocate for higher minimum wages and regulated business

• Unionism: the Trades and Labour Congress (TLC) and Workers Unity League (WUL) continued the advocation for unions, despite a depression; nevertheless, they never expanded greatly because of their Communist leanings

W. L. Mackenzie King

• during his first term as prime minister (1921-1930), King established the Old Age Pensions Act but, according to the British North America Act, refused to provide government relief to any others

• during his second term as prime minister (1935-1948), King led Canada through World War II. Initially, like the US, King believed Canada should take an isolationist standpoint; thus, King declared the Canadian parliament would decide upon the country’s involvement in the War, not Britain. Nevertheless, Canada announced it was at war shortly after British declaration of war on Germany. Still, the independent stance King took against the British led to further independence from the United Kingdom.

Primary Source

• Never in Canada have the devotees of law and order received a ruder shock ... The lesson is obvious yet it should be stated. Any government which attempts to throttle free men in Canada or elsewhere will fall of its own weight and be fortunate if it does not bring crashing in ruins the structure which with clumsy hands it seek to buttress

– Canadian Forum of Toronto

Primary Source Analysis

• Origin- from the Canadian Forum, a Canadian publication established in 1920 at the University of Toronto; the publication is described as having left-wing leanings

• Purpose-the article proudly reports the outcome of the Winnipeg strikes and demonstrates the passion felt by the Canadian labor forces; additionally, it intimidates the government

• Value- the article illustrates the true sentiment of the masses towards working conditions and, at the time, was an invaluable source of confidence for the labor force

• Limit- since the publication has left-wing bias, it may have been dramatized to portray the conservative government as more of an enemy than it really was

Works Cited

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