Did The Great Depression Lead To Social Reform In Canada

The investigation will focus on “To what extent did the Great Depression lead to social reform in Canada”? The investigation can be analyzed by short term, immediate, and long term social change. Author and historian, Michiel Horn states “the Depression of the 1930’s still ranks as the most disastrous decade of the century” as the economic downswing starting in 1929 was an unforeseen change that left a significant impact on the Canadian population. Once the Depression struck, in the short term aspect, relief was necessary for numerous families as 50% of Canadian were at or below the poverty line. Relief camps were established to keep troubled men away from urban areas, and unions such as “Relief Camps Workers Union” were constructed to communicate

In 1929, the average estimation of unemployment was between 2.5% to 4.2%, while the peak of unemployment in 1933 was between 19.3% and 27%. Owners let go of the weakest, least productive people, and only kept the most qualified, while two incomes became essential for many families to maintain a level of existence. Financial struggles ultimately lead to relief, referred to as “the dole”. Support from the government that was looked upon as a humiliating failure. Many Canadian families were expected to live off of $10 to $15 a month without any other type of assistance, as relief would then be revoked. Historian Barry Broadfoot states that in the government’s response to relief, construction of relief camps were put into order specifically intended for men as they were considered a hindrance to society. Roughly 200,000 men went to the unbearable camps as by the government’s belief of a possible revolution taking place. Despite Canada’s governmental plan to take the “problem” into urban areas, it is with great importance to understand the concept of the Relief Camp’s Workers’ Union. Their goal was not just to protest on the conditions of the work camps, but rather to target the main idea, fair wages. With the refusal to work with wages by the federal and provincial government, relief was considered to be an unresolvable problem. As there is little to no opposition regarding social reform in Canada, social historiography is evident in proving the drastic changes that took place. Within the analyzation of immediate social reform in Canada, it is important to highlight the perspectives of Canadians during the Depression, hence the value of “The Dirty Thirties”, a collection of primary documents. It is noteworthy to acknowledge The League for Social Reconstruction’s statement as their priority was to establish