Canadian Life at the Turn of the Century 1900s Canada

Canada was made up of only seven provinces (Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, British Columbia, Manitoba & PEI) Canada encouraged waves of immigrants to come and populate the land to the West Eventually (in 1905) Saskatchewan and Alberta also joined into Canada

Rural Society By 1900, the population of Canada was 5 200 000 and Toronto, Montreal and Halifax were the largest cities Other big cities (Edmonton, Vancouver, Winnipeg and Regina) were all still small pioneer cities Most people made their living as farmers and completing hard manual labour

Farming was the main occupation in 1900; other occupations included logging, the railways and fishing. Construction jobs were available in the newly expanding cities and on the railways. Most people depended on horse and buggy for local travel.

Automobiles were very rare and people did not need drivers licenses nor speed limits, stop signs or traffic lights. Local communities were very important as people often stayed close to home. Life revolved around such things as: the town band, local baseball or hockey teams and the Church.

There were few telephones, no supermarkets, no radios and no television. Most people did not even have access to newspapers or any news from around the world. WHY DO YOU THINK THIS IS?

People provided their own entertainment including sing-alongs, dancing, listening to bands, and family gatherings. Nights out would include watching local plays or concerts in the church halls.

The Suffragette movement became popular in 1912 this was women fighting for the right to vote Having political rights made women more equal in the law and society in general 1916 – Manitoba and Saskatchewan 1917 – BC and Ontario 1918 - Nova Scotia  plus all women in federal 1919 – New Brunswick 1925 – Dominion of Newfoundland 1940 – Quebec 1960 – Aboriginal women