On the home front, the Canadian government was actively encouraging young men to enlist in the Royal Forces by enticing them with the promise of adventure in Europe, reminding them of their civil duty. The message propagated by the government to defend and serve resonated with women as well. Essentially, a woman with a nursing certificate held in her hand a ticket to independence and adventure. There was little doubt that the active service posters targeting Canadian men struck nurses more forcibly than messages pleading women to knit furiously and economize the home front. More than any previous opportunity, nursing allowed Canadian women to serve the nation in a way in which they were uniquely qualified. Women joined the war effort with enthusiastic patriotism and a determination to prove their usefulness. By 1917, the Canadian Army Medical Corps (C.A.M.C.) included 2,030 nurses. A total of 3,141 Canadian nurses served in the C.A.M.C. in the First World War. Nurses worked for the notable sum of $4.10 per while in comparison, their male counterparts fighting on the front lines made about $1.10 a day. With a wage pointedly higher wage than the infantrymen, it was evident that Canadian Nursing Sisters held a very important role on the Western front.

The Home Front at War 1914-1918

Women took mens’ jobs in factories Jobs were opened up at factories as well, as industrial production increased. Work days for these women consisted of ten to twelve hours, six days a week. Because the days consisted of long monotonous work, many women made of parodies of popular songs to get through the day and boost morale. Depending on the area of Canada, some women were given a choice to sleep in either barracks or tents at the factory or farm that they were employed at Women took mens’ jobs in factories

On the Canadian home front, there were many ways which women could participate in the war effort. Not only did women help raise money; they rolled bandages, knitted socks mitts, sweaters, and scarves for the men serving overseas. Women raised money to send cigarettes and candy overseas and comfort the fighting men. Canadian women were encouraged to marshal support for the war by persuading wives and mothers to allow their men and sons to enlist. During the war, an immense amount of pressure was laid on women to do their part. One of the biggest organisations that middle class women participated in was the Imperial Order of the Daughters of the Empire. The IODE strongly advocated imperialist sentiment. By WWI the IODE was of the largest Canadians women’s voluntary associations According to a brochure that was issued by the Canadian Department of Public Works, there were several areas in which it was appropriate for women to work. These were: On fruit or vegetable farms. In the camps to cook for workers. On mixed and dairy farms. In the farmhouse to help feed those who are raising the crops. In canneries, to preserve the fruit and vegetables. To take charge of milk routes. “Honour Rationing” Everyone at home was expected to ration valuable resources “Meatless Fridays & Fueless Sundays”

“Victory Bonds” Canadians could buy savings bonds to help government fund the war

Income & Corporate Tax A “temporary measure”, this measure was intended to offset the cost of war

Military Service Act allowed the government to conscript young men into war

Military Voter’s Act (Khaki Election) Overseas soldiers and nurses had polling stations set up in the 1917 election

Wartime Election Act Allowed women directly related to soldiers serving overseas to vote in the 1917 federal election

the right to vote in political elections “Suffrage” the right to vote in political elections

Canada’s first female doctor and leader of the Suffrage Movement Emily Stowe Canada’s first female doctor and leader of the Suffrage Movement A lifelong champion of women's rights, Emily Stowe taught school in Brantford and Mount Pleasant, Canada W, and in 1856 married John Stowe, whose illness from tuberculosis inspired her to seek a career in medicine. No Canadian college would accept a woman student, so she enrolled at the New York Medical College for Women and on her graduation in 1867 set up a practice in Toronto. She was the first Canadian woman to practise medicine in Canada, although she was not licensed until 1880. Emily Stowe's struggle to enter the medical profession caused her to organize the Woman's Medical College, Toronto, in 1883. In 1876 she had founded the Toronto Women's Literary Club, Canada's first suffrage group, and she was principal founder and first president of the Dominion Women's Enfranchisement Assn (1889).

Manitoba women became the first in Canada to win the right to vote Prairie women gained provincial rights largely on their record in helping to settle and build the country. On 28 January 1916, Manitoba women became the first in Canada to win the rights to vote and to hold provincial office. They were followed by Saskatchewan on 14 March and Alberta on 19 April. British Columbia approved women's suffrage on 5 April 1917, and Ontario suffragists, after many years of struggle, celebrated their hard-won victory one week later on 12 April Manitoba women became the first in Canada to win the right to vote