The Great Depression in Canada Important Events

Relief Camps In October, 1932, Canada was faced with massive unemployment. Many of the unemployed consisted of men “riding the rails” out west to seek work. British Columbia saw a huge influx of unemployed. The BC provincial government requested help.

Relief Camps (cont ’ d) On the recommendation of General Andrew McNaughton, Bennett created relief camps. This was a nationwide system of camps to house and provide work for single, unemployed, homeless Canadian males. The camps were placed under the Department of National Defense, but run by civilians.

"In their ragged platoons, here are the prospective members of what Marx called the 'industrial reserve army, the storm troopers of the revolution.'“ -Andrew G. L. McNaughton, (February 25, July 11, 1966)

Relief Camps (cont ’ d) Men in the camps could neither vote nor organize. The camps were voluntary, but men who resisted could be arrested for vagrancy. The camps were located in remote areas, such as the interior of B.C. and northern Ontario.

Relief Camps (cont ’ d) Typical jobs that men would perform were: Clear bush Build roads Plant trees Build public buildings In return, men received: Room and board Medical care 20 cents a day (one-tenth of what an employed man would make doing the same work)

On To Ottawa – The Trekkers Instead of easing unrest, the camps became a focal point for the men’s anger. In April 1935, 1500 men went on strike. On June 3, 1935, the number had grown to 1800 The communist inspired group Relief Project Worker’s Union organized a massive “On to Ottawa Trek” to take their complaints to Ottawa.

Strikers from unemployment relief camps en route to Eastern Canada during “On to Ottawa Trek"

Trekkers, as they were called, picked up protesters along the way. On June 14, the group arrived in Regina with about 2000 men. Bennett viewed this as a threat to law and order, and supported a railway order refusing access to the trains.

The Delegation The Trekkers decided to send a delegation of 8 people on to Ottawa. This include Arthur ‘Slim’ Evans, leader of the Communist Party’s union. The delegation met with Bennett on June 22.

The meeting didn’t go very well… Evans presented the strikers demands. Bennett accused Evans of being a thief and an extortionist. Evans called Bennett a liar. The delegation was escorted from the building.

The Regina Riot Upon returning to Regina, Evans found that Bennett had broken a promise that all men would receive 3 meals a day. The Trekkers had run out of funds for meals. On June 28, the RCMP announced that anyone who assisted the strikers would be arrested.

On July 1, the leaders organized an ‘open- air’ meeting in downtown Regina. Bennett decided to arrest the leaders. There were over 1500 people in attendance, only about 300 of which were Trekkers. At 8 pm, a whistle was blown, and the RCMP charged the square.

The riot that ensued involved fighting with sticks, stones and hands. The police fired their revolvers in the air, and used tear gas bombs. 120 protestors were arrested. One policeman and one protestor died.

Hundreds of local residents and Trekkers were taken to hospitals and local homes. Those taken to hospitals were arrested. The police claimed only 39 were injured and that there were no deaths. Hospital records were altered to conceal the deaths.

On July 4, the Saskatchewan government assisted the marchers on their way, and most returned to Vancouver. Bennett characterized the On-to-Ottawa Trek as "not a mere uprising against law and order but a definite revolutionary effort on the part of a group of men to usurp authority and destroy government."

Bennett was satisfied he had smashed what he believed was a Communist revolt. The Saskatchewan government was glad to rid the province of the strikers.

Timeline In October, 1932, Canada was faced with massive unemployment. In April 1935, 1500 men from relief camps in British Columbia went on strike. On June 3, 1935, the number of men on strike had grown to 1800, and an ‘On to Ottawa’ trek was organized. Strikers began to ride the rails to Ottawa. On June 14, 1935 the ‘On to Ottawa’ trekkers arrive in Regina with about 2000 men. The trekkers are prevented from riding the train any further, so a delegation that includes Arthur Evans is sent to meet with Bennett on June 22, The meeting ends with the delegation being thrown out. On June 28, the RCMP announced that anyone who assisted the strikers in Regina would be arrested. On July 1, 1935, during an open air meeting in Regina, the RCMP, with orders to arrest the leaders, incite a riot. One policemen dies, and one protestor dies in what becomes known as the Regina Riot. On July 4, the Saskatchewan government assists the marchers in breaking up. Most return to Vancouver.