Road Back to Normal

Demobilization Took many months causing partying and mischief in Europe. $ service gratuity, $35.00 for clothing and a discharge pin.

Spanish Influenza One of the serious issues that demobilization caused was the transmission of the Spanish influenza. Modern pandemic transmitted through travel. Killed million people world wide Canadians. Spanish influenza

Veteran’s Rights Shell shocked veteran received no sympathy or support (pensions) Borden's promise of full reestablishment for Canadian veterans fell short as only able bodied men were eligible for low cost land loans. Disabled veteran’s pensions based on income of unskilled worker. Widows could only collect support if they could prove need, remained unmarried and were morally worthy.

Rise of Unions During the war the government banned workers from striking to improve wages and conditions. After the war cost of living increased dramatically, so workers started to band together. Western Canada was the birth place of the united labour movement “ONE BIG UNION”

6hr workday Greatest weapon General strike

Red Scare Government and wealthy factory owners became scared that the workers would unite Brining in a revolution like in the Russia and Communism

Winnipeg General Strike

May 1, 1919 metal and building workers on strike. May Strike became general with people walked of job in support. Winnipeg had no fire fighters, postal workers and telephone operators.

The federal government changed the immigration law to deport foreign born union leaders Strike leaders were arrested Civic workers were fired Bloody Saturday was when the RNWMP and Winnipeg’s special police tried to break up a protest march killing one and injuring 30 others Lasted 43 days ending June 26 th. JS Woodsworth was arrested and would later create the cooperative commonwealth federation (CCF) NDP (Canada’s first major socialist party)