The Conscription Issue

King’s 1939 election promise – NO CONSCRIPTION 1940 – National Resources Mobilization Act –includes conscription for home defence – not to leave Canada –“Zombies”

From the Globe and Mail: 'Ottawa, Aug. 21 (CP):The Ottawa Citizen said today that the replacement of a draftee company, sergeant-major by a general service non-commissioned officer ended a work stoppage Saturday of about 30 girls in No. 8 temporary building at the Central Experimental Farm near here. The newspaper said the girls took exception to the appointment of a draftee in charge of their group, on the grounds that many had relatives' overseas and were unwilling to work under a "Zombie'

“Conscription if necessary, but not necessarily conscription” 1942: King holds a plebiscite – asks Canadians to release him from his promise

The Question: Are you in favour of releasing the Government from any obligations arising out of any past commitments restricting the methods of raising men for military service?

Plebiscite Results by Province ProvinceVoted YesVoted No Prince Edward Island Nova Scotia New Brunswick Quebec Ontario Manitoba Saskatchewan Alberta British Columbia Yukon Total civilian vote Military vote Total % of English Canadians voted yes 85% of French Canadians voted no Overall, 64% of Canadians vote yes

King passes law allowing for conscription, but only if it’s essential 1944 – Minister of National Defence tells King conscripts must be sent Government authorizes King to use limited overseas conscription in 1944, sending “zombies” (who had volunteered and trained for service in Canada only) to Europe many English Canadians considered them “walking dead” King thus avoids conscription of non-volunteers so keeps his promise Some protests, but reaction is not as serious as King feared