DO SOMETHING!!! Canadian Politicians’ Responses to the Great Depression

Dark Days… Corporate profits dropped from $298 million to NEGATIVE $98 million Unemployment rate reached 27% in 1933 Gross National Product dropped 40% between 1929-1939

Ottawa unprepared for the scale of the Great Depression Government tax revenues falling because people unable to pay taxes traditional response is to slash government spending to avoid going deeper into debt

William Lyon Mackenzie King PM & Liberal leader Balanced budget by slashing gov’t spending – resulted in more unemployment, less $ in economy

The “Five Cent Speech” Canadian provinces demand gov’t offer relief payments for unemployed King sees plot by Conservative rivals: “As far as giving monies out of the federal treasury to any Tory [Conservative] government…for these alleged unemployment purposes… I would not give them a five-cent piece.” Speech helps cost Liberals the 1930 election to…

R.B. Bennett “One of the greatest assets a man can have on entering life’s struggle is poverty.”

Bennett’s responses… Bennett tries traditional route of raising tariffs - keep out imports to protect Canadian businesses Plan backfires – Canada’s economy built on exports – other nations put up tariffs on Canadian goods

Laissez-faire kaput… Conservatives grudgingly pass First Unemployment Relief Act – provides some federal money to provinces Bennett gov’t spends 10 times more money on relief than had been spent in previous decade Despite this, people realize gov’t can do little to solve Great Depression

“Bennett-isms” Canadians’ frustrations with government’s actions evident in the nicknames they used: “Bennett Barnyard” “Bennettburg” “Bennett Blanket” “Eggs Bennett”

“Bennett Buggy”

Relief Camps arose out of concern for large numbers of homeless, jobless single men who did not qualify for relief under the 2nd Relief Act BC government establishes camps in rural areas (away from cities) Federal government takes over camps and expands them across Canada – run by Dept of Nat’l Defence

Relief Camp Rules “To be admitted… must be single, male, not living at home, healthy and fit, unemployed, at least 18 yrs. Old, and not a political agitator Given free transportation to the camp If you decide to leave…for any reason except to take a job, you will not be allowed to return.”

“On entering the camp, you will receive free: A set of work clothes Soap and towels A bunk bed Three meals per day Use of showers, toilets and laundry facilities.”

“You will work 44hours per week on projects such as road building and tree planting You will be given an allowance of 20cents per day plus 1.3 cents per day for tobacco.”

“No committees of camp workers may be formed “No committees of camp workers may be formed. Any complaints must be reported individually to the camp foreman.”

Complaints of Relief Camp Workers “The superintendents are …too severe. It’s worse than being in the army!” “We aren’t supposed to form any committees to try and improve things.” “The food is lousy!” “The doctor is never here to take care of the sick and injured. And all the dentist does to any tooth is yank it out.”

“I don’t think we should be denied the right to vote!”

Demands… “work and wages at minimum 50 cents per hour… …work to be on the basis of a five-day week, six hour working day, and minimum 20 days work per month… All workers…covered by Compensation Act…adequate first aid supplies on all relief jobs… …camps taken out of the control of Dept. of Defence…”

“…a genuine system of …unemployment insurance [be provided]…. democratically elected committee of relief workers be recognized by the authorities… ….all workers be guaranteed their democratic right to vote…”

On-To-Ottawa!

Trek Timeline… May 30: Trek leaves Vancouver: “riding the rods” June 6 – Trek arrives in Golden BC – townspeople offer support June 12 – Trek arrives in Moose Jaw SK – more expressions of support Trek arrives in Regina SK – trek grows to more than 5000 riders

June 16: PM Bennett issues orders to stop the trekkers: “…an organized effort on the part of various Communist organizations…to effect the overthrow of constituted authority in defiance of the laws of the land.” Trek leaders continue to Ottawa to meet with Bennett – return with no concessions from the government

July 1: Dominion Day- 500 trekkers gather in downtown Regina for speeches/protest

The Regina Riot… RCMP armed with baseball bats attempt to arrest speakers riot ensues RCMP eventually encircles trekkers RCMP sets up machine gun at entrance to trekkers’ camp 40 trekkers wounded

1 killed Charles Millar Off-duty police officer Who killed him?

Aftermath… 1000 trekkers jailed 6 trek leaders imprisoned – several deported membership in some unions made illegal and yet…

Bennett’s “New Deal” Bennett’s plan for 1935 election campaign Bennett promises: Health and unemployment insurance Maximum work week Financial assistance for farmers Economic Council of Canada to advise gov’t

BUT… Many Canadians disillusioned BOTH of Canada’s political parties (Liberals and Conservatives) unable to end Depression Capitalism failing to make many people’s lives better, so… Search for alternative (more extreme?) ideas

New Political Parties…

Letters to R.B. Bennett… Dear Sir, I am writing to see if their is any help I could get. As I have a baby thirteen days old that only weighs one pound and I have to keep in cotton Wool & Olive Oil, and I havent the money to buy it, if their is any help I could get their will be two votes for you next election Hoping to hear from you soon Yours Truly, Mrs. Jack OHannen Murray Harbour, PEI

Dear Mr. Bennett, I believe you to be good as well as a great man therefore I am appealing to you to save my home. Picture yourself, through no fault of your own, homeless with sons willing, but unable to provide for you. Please help me or tell me what I can do. Yours Sincerely and hopefully, Laura Bates. Toronto Sept 3, 1933

Dear Sir, Three little baby boys were born to Mr. and Mrs Dear Sir, Three little baby boys were born to Mr. and Mrs. Samuels in our vicinity. Like many others they have had some very bad luck. The parents are a very fine type, not the kind with the hand out for help. We hope you will feel toward these unfortunate people the way we do. Yours truly, Elizabeth Ratray Welsley Ont, Sept. 27,1933

Dear Prime Minister RB Bennett, It is with a very humble heart that I take the opportunity of writing this letter to ask you if you will please send for this underware for my husband from the Eaton catalog. I can manage but my husband has arthritis very bad at times in his arms and shoulders. I have patched and darned his old underwear for the last two years, but they are completely done now. If you cant do this I really dont know what to do. Mrs. Thomas Perkins Kingdom Saskatchewan Sept 28, 1933

Dear Mr. Bennett, I am a litte boy eight years old and Im in Grade III at school. Ive wanted a littel red wagon to hich my dog to for so many year, but daddy has no money. Please, Mr. Bennett would you send me enuff money to buy my wagon. Thank you so much. Your very good friend, Maurice Stanley

1935 Election Canadians do not re-elect Conservatives – Liberals under Mackenzie King return to power Liberals also reach conclusion that federal government MUST take a role in managing the economy and providing for the disadvantaged Beginning of Canada’s “social safety net”