Working and Living Conditions in Industrialized Cities

In 1867 approximately one fifth of Canada’s population lived in cities. In 1900 over one third of the population lived in cities. In 1851 Montreal had a population of In 1901 Montreal had a population

People moved from Quebec’s rural areas to the cities. The population in Montreal became a Francophone majority once more. Many French Canadians were leaving their farms and were looking for work in the cities.

Hours The people who moved into the cities and found jobs in factories soon realized that working conditions were unpleasant. Workers were expected to work many hours a week. In a 6 day week, people had to work from hours. Working conditions were poor. Machinery was often unguarded and dangerous.

The workshops were often unheated and poorly ventilated. It the summer the factories became unbearably hot. Many factories had few windows.

Wages Wages were very low. Factory workers were underpaid. Men usually earned less than $10 a week. Women and children were paid less than men. Many children during industrialization started to work at the age of 8. The money they earned was needed to supplement the low family income. In other words the children had to help their family pay rent and buy food.

A woman pieceworker received from 50 cents to 3 dollars for a weeks worth of work ( 75 to 80 hours). Employers preferred women and children as workers because they were considered more obedient. There was no insurance for sickness, unemployment or injury. Fines could be imposed to punish workers.

Violence Employers were known to beat and abuse their employees. If a worker spoke out they could be fired from their position. Workers during this period had no voice. Women were often subjected to sexual harassment.

Labour Unions Early labour unions were mutual-aid societies. At first it was illegal for workers to organize to bargain with employers. After a successful strike by newspaper workers to gain a 9 hour work day, labour unions became legal after Employers remained hostile to unions.

Labour Unions Governments were biased in favour of employers. Strikes were often harshly put down by police and the army.

Workers Skilled workers such as longshoremen and workers in shoemaking and printing were the first to form craft unions. Unskilled workers could be easily replaced so most remained without union support.

Industrial Unions In the 1880’s the Knights of Labour (Les Chevaliers du Travail) an industrial union of American origin was open to all workers. The archbishop and the craft unions opposed this movement which supported lower paid workers In 1883 the Trades and Labour Congress (TLC) was formed to unite all labour unions.

Living Conditions Until industrialization reached Quebec, towns and cities grew slowly. Due to industrialization their populations increased sharply. The population in city centers increased from 20% in 1871 to 40% in This led to rapid construction of new streets, housing, factories, stores, and public buildings.

Most homes were overcrowded with many children and several adults. Sanitation was very poor. There was no sewer systems instead outhouses were used which were shared by several families. A piped water system was rare. There were no refrigerators at this time, houses only had ice boxes to keep their food fresh.

Mortality Rates The mortality rate was high in the working class regions of Montreal. Over 300/1000 children died before their first birthday. One of the main causes was malnutrition. Typhus and smallpox epidemics were frequent. Tuberculosis was widespread in poorly ventilated, damp houses.

Working class people walked to work since the factories would have been close to their houses. Residential streets were unpaved, muddy and littered with garbage. Flooding was common.

Farm Animals in the City! Many horses were needed for pulling carts, carriages and streetcars. The stables for horses were located in the working class area. Cows were also kept in the stables close to homes to make sure the milk supply was fresh. All animals produced smells, manure, and attracted flies. It made living condition even worse for the working class.

Upper Class The “Golden Square Mile” was an upper class district where many millionaires lived who were mostly of English or Scottish heritage. The mortality was much lower in these districts. For children it was 187/1000. Sanitation and hygiene were good. These families could afford to have good medical treatment.

Women On the whole women had a harder life. Women married early and had large families. Many were weakened by frequent pregnancies and became sickly. Meals had to be prepared, families fed, children bathed, and clothes washed. Women aged quickly and died earlier than women do today.

Women had few rights. Many men believed that women were weak and inferior. Women did not have the right to vote. Women were also expected to obey their husbands. Few women received a formal education. Women were oppresses by men.

The Convent There was a way to escape the hard conditions of married life: become a nun. The life of a nun in a religious order was rigorous. Many girls chose to join in the orders because they would have the opportunity to receive an education and “do something with their lives.”