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World War I (1914-1918) (0)
The time came for Canada to prove itself a capable ally in times of desperate need and conflict. Canada was able to deliver on this, becoming a prominent, reputable force in the air, and on the ground tending to the injured. The total casualties that Canada suffered during the war is estimated to be around 110,000 soldiers, nurses, etc, and countless others unaccounted for, to this day. -
Women win the right to vote in Manitoba, Saskatchewan, and Alberta (1916) (+2) (1916)
Manitoba women became the first in Canada to win both the right to vote and to hold provincial office. These actions were also taken by Saskatchewan on March 14th, 1916 and then by Alberta on April 19th, 1916. This turn of events supported women's sufferage as the proper course for democracy. -
Battle of Vimy Ridge (1917) (+1)
The battle at Vimy Ridge was a testament to Canada's presence in the war. A grueling, blood fueled Easter Monday battle claimed the lives of 3578 soldiers and medical personnel and left close to 7000 injured. It was a brilliant victory for the Canadians, who sensed a new national awareness about what they can truly achieve as a nation. -
Prime Minister Borden Announces Conscription (1917) (-1)
The idea of war was now not as it once was to Canadians. In a way, it lost its appeal; the idea of war seemed bleak and fearful. There was already a lack of men enlisting in fighting overseas. As a result, Sir Robert Borden announced his decision in Parliament to implement Conscription. The demand for conscription on unwilling French Canadians was a flop and bitterly alienated the country along French-English lines. -
Halifax Explosion (1917) (-1)
This event was and still is today one of the worst disasters in Canadian history. On this day, December 6th, 1917, the French munitions ship Mont-Blanc collided with the Belgian relief ship Imo. This resulted in a massive explosion that claimed the lives of 1,600 people and injured 9,000 others. This event cemented the true reality of war for Canada because although many policies were changed after the war, there were still many other things that needed to be addressed, such as casualties. -
Spanish Influenza Epidemic (1918) (-2)
An epidemic which originated in Kansas spread to Europe, and eventually Canada, where it claimed the lives of some 50,000 Canadian men and women The first civilian outbreak occurred on September 8th, 1918 -
Winnipeg General Strike (1919) (-1)
As an effort to push governments to recognize unions, the metal, and building trades called for a general strike on May 19th. The strike expanded with other trades joining the strike, practically deadening, Winnipeg in terms of business, and a significant amount of profit was lost. The strike ended on June 26th, 1919, almost a month after it began. -
Frederick Banting And The Creation of Insulin (1921) (2)
Winning a Noble Peace Prize and perfectly representing what Canada is capable of in the medical and scientific field, Frederick Banting developed a treatment for diabetes, which was, and still to this day, a common disease. The first patient to be treated occurred on January 11th, 1922. -
The Balfour Report (1926) (1)
The Balfour Report of 1926 stated that Britain and its Dominions were constitutionally identical to each other. It was a landmark document validating Canada as a fully independent country, allied with Britain and the other Dominions through the Commonwealth. These actions proved Canada's desire to stray away from Britain and create its own ideas and values while simultaneously painting itself a new light. -
The Great Depression (1929 -1939) (-2)
The crash of the New York stock market took on a domino effect and thus causing the crashing of Canada's stock market as well. This put the population of Canada in a predicament, as countless jobs and businesses were lost as well as the fact that there was no income being generated. This period of time in Canada's history was one riddled with economical losses and Canada's economy as a whole was held in limbo.
