1. The Conscription Issue

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

3. 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'

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

5. 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?

6. Plebiscite Results by Province ProvinceVoted YesVoted No Prince Edward Island23 5684 869 Nova Scotia120 76335 840 New Brunswick105 62945 743 Quebec375 650971 925 Ontario1 202 953229 847 Manitoba218 09353 651 Saskatchewan183 61767 654 Alberta186 62475 880 British Columbia253 84462 033 Yukon847291 Total civilian vote2 670 0881 547 724 Military vote251 11860 885 Total2 921 2061 608 609 79% of English Canadians voted yes 85% of French Canadians voted no Overall, 64% of Canadians vote yes

7. 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 16000 “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