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Vimy Ridge (+1) - Social
Vimy Ridge was a battle between the Canadian Corps and German army during World War I, from April 9, 1917, to April 12, 1917. Vimy Ridge was thought to be impossible to capture, however, the Canadian Corps overcame this challenge. The outcome of Vimy Ridge is a representation of Canada’s, strength, success, and sacrifices in World War I and had a large impact on Canada gaining a seat as a separate nation at the peace talks following the war. Though, 3598 Canadians died with many more injured. -
Battle of Amiens (+1) - Political
Canadian and Allied forces won a crucial battle in the First World War at the Battle of Amiens, which took place between the 8th-11th of August 1918. Despite the bad weather, the Canadians punched a 12-kilometre hole in the German line that changed the course of the war. It was not without loss, however, with the Canadian army suffering over 4000 casualties. Amiens sparked the Hundred Days Campaign, the successful Allied push that would drive the Germans backwards until their ultimate defeat. -
Canada Joins the League of Nations (+1) - Political
Canada was a founding member of the League of Nations, an organization of countries formed in 1919 at the end of the First World War. It was designed to enforce the Treaty of Versailles and other peace agreements. The League of Nations established a new way of international activity and helped establish Canada’s position as a sovereign state. Although the League failed in its main purpose of keeping peace, Canada’s position in international cooperation and peace-keeping was established. -
Spanish Flu in Canada (-1) - Social
The Spanish Flu is Canada’s most devastating influenza epidemic. The flu was brought into Canada by returning soldiers, resulting in up to 50 000 Canadian deaths, primarily youth, from 1918 to 1919. Furthermore, businesses and all but the necessary services were closed, to prevent any spreading of the flu. This action harmed Canada economically and socially. Despite these tragedies and difficulties at the time, the Federal Department of Health was established in 1919 as a result of the epidemic. -
Winnipeg General Strike (-2) - Economic
The Winnipeg General Strike took place from May 15th to June 25th in 1919. Large unemployment rates, inflation, low wages, bad working conditions, and the success of the Russian Revolution all contributed to labour unrest at the time. Over 30,000 workers, went on strike with the hope of improvements. On June 21, 1919, Royal North-West Mounted Police charged down Main Street, injuring 30 and killing 1. This resulted in all strikers deciding to return to work on June 25 without any improvements. -
Chinese Immigration Act (-2) - Social
On July 1, 1923, the Chinese Immigration Act was passed. Along with discrimination and many restrictions, for 24 years almost all Chinese people were banned from entering Canada. Prior to this, the number of Chinese immigrants had risen continuously. This did not comply with many citizens wanting a “White Canada Forever”. This act embodies racism and as a result, Chinese people living in Canada were treated as second-class citizens and as an inferior race. -
The Balfour Report (+1) - Political
The Balfour Report was created in 1926 and declared that Britain along with its Dominions were constitutionally equal to one another. In addition, Canadian Parliament was given more power over Canada. Before this report, Britain had a large control over the Canadian government. This included Britain having the power to disallow any legislation passed by the Canadian government This report was a large stepping stone in Canada’s movement of becoming a sovereign nation. -
Old Age Pensions Act (+1) - Economic
The Old Age Pensions Act was passed in 1927 and was financed by the federal and provincial governments. In order to be eligible, one had to be a British subject aged 70 and over along with a minimum of 20 years of living in Canada. Additionally, a financial investigation was required to be taken on by all applicants with many finding this humiliating. These pensions entitled a maximum payment of $20 every month, thus leading to many more economic advancements in pensions and savings. -
Supreme Court Reversal Allows Women to Seek Public Office (+2) - Political
In 1929, the Privy Council of England reversed the 1928 ruling by the Supreme Court of Canada that ruled that women as not “persons” under the British North American Act. This had meant that women were ineligible for appointment to the Senate. The reversal by the Privy Council is referred to as “The Persons Case” opened the Senate to women, allowing them to work for change in both the House of Commons and the Upper House. This was the stepping stone in the Canadian women’s rights movement. -
Great Depression Begins (-2) - Economic
The Great Depression was triggered in large part by a sudden crash of the American Stock Market on October 29, 1929, known as “Black Tuesday”. This led to a social and economic shock that left millions of Canadians unemployed and hungry. The Canadian economy was crippled due to Canada’s heavy dependence on raw material and farm exports, as well as the unprecedented droughts in the Prairies. The Great Depression led to a lengthy rebuild, with many people hopeless and sceptical about the future.
