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Declaration of War - (Political)
Canada was automatically at war once Britain declared war. Canadians did not have the option of voting on the matter.
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War Measures Act - (Political)
The War Measures Act gave the government new powers to prosecute during the war. These powers included censorship, the right to arrest Canadians, and the right to take control of property. It was during this time that the government forced “enemy aliens” into internment camps. The government used the time of war to overstep its rule, and many individuals suffered as a result. The War Measures Act turned neighbours into enemies.
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Formation of the No. 2 Battalion - (Social)
When Black Canadians wanted to enlist, they faced prejudice and racism that prevented them from joining.
White commanding officers rarely accepted a black recruits into their units.
After 2 years of lobbying, Black Canadians were told they could enlist if they could find enough men to form their own segregated battalion.
However, even after all the effort, they would not be given guns. The battalion would be given shovels and forestry tools.
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Wartime Elections Act - (Political)
The Wartime Elections Act gave the right to vote to female relatives of soldiers, which was a positive step.
However, it removed the right to vote from Canadians born in an enemy country or those speaking a language from an enemy country.
It also removed the right to vote from conscientious objectors.
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Conscription - (Political)
Conscription was one of the biggest issues to divide the country during the war.
When passed, the government made military service mandatory for men.
It had lasting effects on the country, as it created great divides between French and English Canadians. Farmers and pacifists did not support conscription. And in the end, very few men conscripted ended up fighting overseas in the military.
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Treaty of Versailles - (Political)
The Treaty of Versailles was signed on November 11th, 1918. Prime Minister Borden convinced Britain to let Canada be represented as a separate nation. This was a first important step to Canada gaining its independence from Britain.
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Formation of The League of Indians - (Social)
Lt. Loft formed the League of Indians to fight for the right to vote, in addition to other rights (improved healthcare, education, increased control of reservations) Indigenous veterans had the right to vote but only if they gave up their status. Many Indigenous veterans had returned home to find out that their land had been given to non-Indigenous veterans.
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Discovery of Insulin - (Social)
Frederick Banting, with assistance from Charles Best and others, discovered a treatment for diabetes. It was a medical breakthrough by the Canadians when they created insulin to treat diabetes.
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The Chinese Exclusion Act/Immigration Law - (Political)
When the government passed these laws, it formalized discrimination against Chinese. They were prevented from voting, unable to hold public office or property, and restricted in their choice of housing and employment. White workers protested to prevent Chinese workers from earning a fair wage. Chuck Lee graduated as an engineer, but he was prevented from working in his chosen career. When he returned to China to marry, his wife was unable to return with him to Canada.
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The ‘Persons’ Case - (Political)
In 1927, a group began a legal challenge against the limitations that prevented women from holding public office. The group included, Nellie McClung, Emily Murphy, Louise McKinney, Irene Parlby and Henrietta Edwards. On October 18, 1929, Lord Sankey announced the decision:
“The exclusion of women from all public offices is a relic of days more barbarous than ours. And to those who would ask why the word ‘person’ should include females, the obvious answer is, why should it not?”
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