The HOMEFIRES Conscription Crisis of 1917 and Internment of “Undesirables”

Outcome GL4analyse the role played by WWI in shaping Canada’s identity GL4analyse the role played by WWI in shaping Canada’s identity identify and describe Canada’s various military roles and contributions in WWI identify and describe Canada’s various military roles and contributions in WWI analyse the impact of the war on Canada’s evolution from colony to nation analyse the impact of the war on Canada’s evolution from colony to nation explain how the war was a catalyst for societal change (e.g., changing roles for women, minorities, children, governments, and home front) explain how the war was a catalyst for societal change (e.g., changing roles for women, minorities, children, governments, and home front) analyse some of the controversial decisions involving Canadians (e.g., internments, 1917 election, racist policies, and conscription) analyse some of the controversial decisions involving Canadians (e.g., internments, 1917 election, racist policies, and conscription)

1917 Background Of the 400,000 Canadians who volunteered for service in WWI, fewer than one in 20 were French. Of English Canadian volunteers, 70% were recent immigrants from Britain. Of the 400,000 Canadians who volunteered for service in WWI, fewer than one in 20 were French. Of English Canadian volunteers, 70% were recent immigrants from Britain. French sentiment from the start had the war as a European issue and as a British problem. French sentiment from the start had the war as a European issue and as a British problem. Quebec wanted Canada to stay out of the conflict. Quebec wanted Canada to stay out of the conflict. By 1916 Canada needed more men but volunteers were not as plentiful as before… By 1916 Canada needed more men but volunteers were not as plentiful as before…

The Sides Robert Borden Robert Borden Military Service Act Military Service Act War-time Elections Act Law which extended the right to vote to the mothers, wives, and sisters of the soldiers serving, while at the same time refusing that right to citizens from enemy countries. War-time Elections Act Law which extended the right to vote to the mothers, wives, and sisters of the soldiers serving, while at the same time refusing that right to citizens from enemy countries. English Canada English Canada Borden forced election in 1917 Borden forced election in 1917 Easter Riots forced Conscription in August 1917 Easter Riots forced Conscription in August 1917 Henri Bourassa Henri Bourassa Bill 17 - restricted French instruction in Ontario Schools Bill 17 - restricted French instruction in Ontario Schools Would not allow one french man to serve in the army of the British Would not allow one french man to serve in the army of the British French Canada, farmers, union workers French Canada, farmers, union workers Easter 1917 French Canadians take to the streets in a weekend of protest Easter 1917 French Canadians take to the streets in a weekend of protest

Easter Weekend Riots 1917 Friday March 28 – gathering resistance through Quebec City results in marches Friday March 28 – gathering resistance through Quebec City results in marches Saturday March 29 – Borden evokes the War Measures Act giving the federal government the right to take over safety and security, 780 soldiers arrive in Quebec City with 1000 reserves training for the front on the way from Ontario, 3000 dispatched form the West Saturday March 29 – Borden evokes the War Measures Act giving the federal government the right to take over safety and security, 780 soldiers arrive in Quebec City with 1000 reserves training for the front on the way from Ontario, 3000 dispatched form the West Sunday March 30 – Rioters throw stones at the soldiers, soldiers ordered to open fire on the rioters Sunday March 30 – Rioters throw stones at the soldiers, soldiers ordered to open fire on the rioters Monday April 1- Riots are over, $ in damages, 5 rioters killed, dozens injured, 32 soldiers injured – no dead Monday April 1- Riots are over, $ in damages, 5 rioters killed, dozens injured, 32 soldiers injured – no dead

Aftermath March 1918 – Last German offensive, CEF needed soldiers – Borden pushed for no exemptions on the basis of fitness for service or objection March 1918 – Last German offensive, CEF needed soldiers – Borden pushed for no exemptions on the basis of fitness for service or objection Conservatives lost the western support they enjoyed and would not get it back for a LONG time Conservatives lost the western support they enjoyed and would not get it back for a LONG time Borden split the country Borden split the country 120,000 men gathered in conscription, saw service 120,000 men gathered in conscription, saw service French Canada still has not forgiven Ottawa French Canada still has not forgiven Ottawa

Québec History 25 - WW1 Conscription Crisis - YouTube Québec History 25 - WW1 Conscription Crisis - YouTube

Internment of Undesirables Ukrainian (Austro-Hungarian Empire) Ottoman Empire, Italians and German people taken from their homes and placed in camps Ukrainian (Austro-Hungarian Empire) Ottoman Empire, Italians and German people taken from their homes and placed in camps War Measures Act 1914 gave the government power to remove enemy populations from the general public War Measures Act 1914 gave the government power to remove enemy populations from the general public This resulted in the internment of 8,579 "enemy aliens" of which over 5,000 were Ukrainians who had emigrated to Canada from territories under the control of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. It also meant an additional 80,000 individuals (of which the vast majority were Ukrainians) were obliged to register as "enemy aliens" and then required to report to local authorities on a regular basis. This resulted in the internment of 8,579 "enemy aliens" of which over 5,000 were Ukrainians who had emigrated to Canada from territories under the control of the Austro-Hungarian Empire. It also meant an additional 80,000 individuals (of which the vast majority were Ukrainians) were obliged to register as "enemy aliens" and then required to report to local authorities on a regular basis. Used as labour sources for government projects, public interests and work rehabilitation Used as labour sources for government projects, public interests and work rehabilitation

Image Gallery of Life in Ukrainian Internment Camps in Canada Image Gallery of Life in Ukrainian Internment Camps in Canada

Aftermath Spring 2005 Bill C3351 provided money and an apology to the families affected by the internment Spring 2005 Bill C3351 provided money and an apology to the families affected by the internment Only one Member of Parliament ever attempted to keep the promise of money and an apology – the money never came and the Member was declared “Out of Order” when he attempted to deliver the apology in the House Only one Member of Parliament ever attempted to keep the promise of money and an apology – the money never came and the Member was declared “Out of Order” when he attempted to deliver the apology in the House

Kapuskasing Internment Camp honoured almost a century later - YouTube Kapuskasing Internment Camp honoured almost a century later - YouTube