The Great Depression in Canada

The Roaring 20s

1920

This photo shows Queen’s street in Toronto, Ontario during the early 1920s. There is bustling traffic with well dressed men and women, showing the economic prosperity and cultural change that came with Canadians enjoying their new increased consumerism. Unsustainable growth from this led to the economic crash of the Great Depression in Canada.

Stock Market Crash; Black Tuesday

Oct 29, 1929

The image shows Canadians a few days after the stock market crash which was the very beginning mark of The Great Depression. The stock market in Toronto, Ontario crashed right after New York, which destabilized economies worldwide. Canadian industries suffered greatly, destroying personal and business wealth, and starting the years of financial hardship.

Consequences of the Stock Market Crash

Oct 31, 1929

This image was taken after the stock market crash on Yonge Street in Toronto. Many men would line up for several hours for free breakfast as they lost most of their funds. This shows the great impact that the stock market had on many different people just days after the incident.

Unemployment and Struggles

1930

The Single Men's Unemployed Association protetsing in Toronto after the Stock Market Crash. As industrial areas and factories were closed or reduced their operations, unemployment in Canada increased greatly. Due to little to no income, families found it difficult to afford food and shelter which led to desperation and a lack of economic security that defined the Great Depression.

Relief Camps for Men

1934

In this photo, there are bunkhouses at relief camps for men in Canada. The Canadian government created these camps to house and employ single, unemployed men in exchange for food and shelter. However, there were many complains about this government aid due to their harsh conditions and low wages.

The Government

Feb 16, 1934

This image shows the Inauguration of the Commission of Government where the Commission of Government failed to improve the impact left on Newfoundland and Labrador. The land settlement program introduced during the Great Depression, had a goal of helping families to establish farms, but it failed because of poor management and lack of control for settlers. By 1941, the government abandoned the program as it became clear that families could not repay the investments.

Immigrants in the 1930s

1935

This is a photo taken in 1935 of a Japanese family outside their store in Vancouver. During the Great Depression, high unemployment made Canadians less tolerant of immigrants. Many believed recent immigrants were competing for scarce jobs. In response, Prime Ministers Mackenzie King and R.B. Bennett restricted immigration, allowing only those with money, farming skills, or British and American backgrounds. This reflected the era’s focus on protecting Canadian jobs over welcoming newcomers.

Government Intervention - Bank of Canada

Mar 11, 1935

This image shows the Bank of Canada in Ottawa, Ontario. Due to public pressure from struggling farmers, Prime Minister R.B. Bennett's Conservative government established the MacMillan Commission in 1933, which led to the creation of the Bank of Canada in 1935.

The Dust Bowl

Apr 14, 1935

This image shows a massive black blizzard in Saskatchewan. Following the financial decline, Canadian farmers in the Pirairies faced many years of drought. The price of wheat in Saskatchewan was the lowest in history. In two years, the province's revenue falls by 90%. Other western provinces fell bankrupt starting in 1932.

The On-to-Ottawa Trek

Jun 3, 1935

This photo was taken during the On to Ottawa Trek protest, showing several men hopping the rails at Kamloops. Around 1,500 workers from unemployment relief camps in BC went on strike as a way to protest poor conditions. After being unsuccessful, protestors decided to march to Ottawa and eventually made it to Regina where they were stopped.

Regina Riot

Jul 1, 1935

Men and police officers are surrounding an injured man while also still going through physical conflict. This riot was the result of the On-to-Ottawa Trek as it was stopped in Regina. From the frusturation of these protestors, conflicts started between protestors and police, resulting in the Regina Riot. This event showed the growing frusturation of Canadians with governmental responses to the Depression, creating a social and political tension.

Young Females During The Great Depression

1936

This photo shows three students during the Great Depression. Education was ruined for those hoping to improve their economic futures. Women who were working needed to take temporary or low paying work instead of the careers that they wanted. Many also lost their job because of the priority of men working.

Rowell-Sirois Commission

1937

Members of the Rowell-Sirois Commission in 1938, even though it was established in 1937. The point of this commision was to address economic and political challenges that were faced due to the Great Depression. They specifically addressed economic inequalities between federal and provincial governments and proposing social welfare measures.

Start of WWII

1940

On September 10, 1939, Canada declared war on Germany. This image shows a child saying his final goodbyes to his father on the Connaught's Own Rifles in New Westminister, British Columbia.