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Halibut Treaty
During 1915, the demand for halibut was increasing while the stock was depleting. In 1918, the International Fisheries Commission established The Halibut Treaty, meant to investigate halibut behavior to regulate the industry. Even after regulating off seasons which prohibited commercial fishing during certain times of the year, fish stock continued decreasing. This led to a wider ranged treaty signed on May 9, 1930. Since then, the halibut fishing industry has continued to stabilize and thrive. -
Conscription Crisis
On 18th of May 1917, Robert Borden announced that military service was compulsory. Though support was rejected for Conscription, the Military Service Act and Wartime Elections Act, made voters more likely to vote for conscription due to the restriction of enemy aliens' voice. Even then, anti-conscription riots broke out in Quebec from March 28 to April 1, 1918. Rioters attacked troops with gunfire and improvised missiles, growing increasingly violent which resulted in 150 casualties. -
Women's Suffrage
Women’s franchise was the lengthy struggle to allow basic human and equity rights for women. Suffragists typically campaigned for their rights peacefully, holding meetings and bringing signs to the streets. In 1900, women who owned property were granted the privilege to vote municipally. Almost two decades later on May 24, 1918, females aged 21 and over could vote federally with the only exclusion being people of colour. -
Winnipeg General Strike
After WW1, many employees struggled to earn money while employers prospered. People of Winnipeg fought for better wages and working conditions. On May 15 of 1919, the Winnipeg Trades and Labour Council called a strike. Over 30,000 people lost their jobs. Winnipeg’s political and business leaders did not take the strike seriously. Unfortunately once the government stepped in, they sided with the employers and threatened to fire or deport employees who did not return to work immediately. -
Flappers
The flapper lifestyle was considered outrageous during the 1920’s however, it was a generation of young women who simply wanted independence and equal rights. These women adorned bobbed hair, short skirts, bright colours and lots of personality! After the Equal Rights Amendment in 1923, women could free themselves from homemaking, they could vote, attend college and get jobs. This revolutionary change left a drastic mark on today’s society where women today can do just as much as a man. -
Group of Seven
Also known as the Algonquin school, the Group of Seven was an organization of modern landscape painters in 1920. Starting out as a mutual support group, the Group of Seven gradually shaped Canada’s culture through art. Their initial exhibitions which sparked controversy only skyrocketed them into fame, soon enough they became one of the most influential Canadian artists that built up what was lost, a few decades after confederation. -
Dominion Elections Act
The dominion elections act was passed by Robert Borden in 1920. Legislations made during WW1 were very biased, meant to ensure more support for Borden in the elections. Later on, the government decided to establish fair electing by creating this act. It enabled most women to vote however, Chinese, Japanese, South Asian, and Indigenous People were all restricted from voting. -
Chinese Immigration Act
The Chinese immigrant Act was an excruciatingly restrictive legislation that limited the amount of Chinese immigrants in Canada in 1923. Even after the Act was revoked, new regulations confined eligible Chinese immigrants to 4 categories. This act had proven effective but humiliating to Chinese. Opportunities for growth in Chinese community were less prevalent with the women, retired and unemployed, unable to reach Canada. -
Persons Case
The Persons Case was a legal issue against women who were not considered people under the Constitution. Men were the only “qualified persons” to join the senate. In 1927, Emily Murphy, a judge constantly subjected to sexism at work, led the “Famous Five”, a group of women who challenged the Supreme court when Canadian law considered women not “persons”. On October 18, 1929, women appointment to the senate was allowed due to the tremendous efforts of the Famous Five and other suffragists.
