Social Changes 1896-1929

Urbanization Continues  Farms were overcrowded due to a high birth rate. Fewer workers were now needed because of modern machinery. Jobs were more plentiful in the cities. By 1931, 60 percent of Quebec's population now lived in urban centres or cities.

Living and Working Conditions Wealthy and middle-class districts enjoyed modern services such as sewer systems, running water, electricity and telephones. Working class districts continued to suffer from overcrowded housing conditions, poor sanitation and high infant mortality rates. People continued to work long hours in the workplace , but the average work week gradually declined from 72 hours to 50 hours. Workers continued to join trade unions to fight for better pay and working conditions. In 1921, the first Catholic union, La Confederation des travailleurs catholiques du Canada, was organized by the Church in Quebec, to counter the influence of American unions. 

Status of Women During the first 30 years of the 20th century, Quebec women suffered many inequalities: Women could expect low wages working long hours in dirty and boring jobs. World War 1 brought an increasing number of women into the industrial workforce into sectors that had traditionally been dominated by men. Women were denied opportunities in higher education and most professional careers. In 1917, during World War I, the War Times Election Act gave the vote to the widows, wives, mothers and adult daughters and sisters of Canadians serving overseas. In 1921, all Canadian women were given the right to vote in federal elections. The first woman elected to the federal parliament was Agnes Macphail. Quebec fell behind other provinces in the extension of equal rights for women. Women in Quebec were not given the right to vote in provincial elections until 1940