After WWI, many Canadian soldiers
returned home to find few
opportunities. The soldiers
thought the jobs they had left would
be there when they returned.
The soldiers were mistaken.
Canada provided little money, jobs,
retraining or support to the
veterans. As well, health benefits
were limited and veteran pensions
were often unpaid.
Companies who made war equipment had
enjoyed enormous profits, and many
business operators were rich.
For the workers, wages were low, working
conditions were unsafe, and labour
regulations were mostly non-existent.
During the war, women had worked in the
factories. They had gained experience and
skills. Many women did not want to return to
the role of homemaker.
Prior to WW1, many eastern Europeans had
settled in western Canada. Large groups of
Ukrainians moved to Winnipeg. Now, these
groups were seen as undesirable.
In Canada, there was unemployment
and very high inflation (40 - 60%)
…frustration and anger.
In Russia, the 1917 revolution had put a
communist government in power.
For Canadian workers, a socialist
system (i.e., property and wealth
distribution subject to control of society
for the common good) seemed like a
good solution.
In May 1919, One Big Union was
formed in Calgary. The union was
seeking better wages and working
conditions for workers in all
Canadians cities.
The union began to organize
workers across Canada.
Building and metal workers tried to
become unionized, but management
refused to negotiate. The workers
decided to strike for better wages
and union recognition.
One Big Union convinced all
Winnipeg workers to support
the strike, and by 11:00 a.m.,
30,000 workers…almost all
workers in Winnipeg…were
on strike.
The strikers included postal
workers, police officers, fire
fighters, water works
operators and cooks.
At first, the strike was
peaceful, and a Central
Strike Committee was
formed.
The Central Strike
Committee controlled the
movement of goods and
supplies (e.g., milk and food
delivery) in many parts of
Winnipeg.
Almost immediately, employers
and the Winnipeg City Council
established the Citizens'
Committee of 1000, a group of
Winnipeg's wealthiest
manufacturers, lawyers, bankers
and politicians.
The Committee ignored the
strikers' demands for improved
wages and union recognition.
Instead, the Committee claimed
the strikers were Bolsheviks
trying to start a violent communist
revolution.
Local newspapers had lost most of
their employees to the strike. Papers
such as the Winnipeg Free Press
called the strikers bohunks, aliens
and anarchists. They ran cartoons
depicting hooked-nosed Jewish
radicals throwing bombs.
In response to the negative press,
workers began to hold similar but
smaller strikes in cities across
Canada.
The Government of Canada began to
worry about the outcome of strikes in
all Canadian cities.
Government of Canada official met with
the Citizens' Committee of 1000, but
they refused to meet with the Central
Strike Committee.
With Government of Canada support,
the Winnipeg City Council fired all
police officers. They were replaced
with members of the Citizens'
Committee of 1000.
The Government of Canada acted
quickly.
• The Immigration Act was amended so
strike leaders could be easily and
quickly arrested and deported.
• Striking government employees were
ordered back to work.
• On 17 June 1919, ten strike leaders
were arrested.
• More RCMP officers were sent to
Winnipeg.
In protest, the strikers organized a
rally in downtown Winnipeg.
On 21 June 1919, the event turned
violent. RCMP on horseback charged
into the protesting strikers. Many
more strikers were arrested, 30 people
were injured and one person was
killed. This event is called Bloody
Saturday.
On 25 June 1919, the strikers returned
to work.
This is a very important
historical event in the
social, economic and
political valeus of Canadian
history.
Why?
Why?
• Workers saw the need to united. This was the start
of many unions in other parts of Canada, as well as
meaningful rules and regulations for labour (e.g., safe
working conditions, appropriate wages).
• Strike leader J.S. Woodsworth…he was jailed during
the Winnipeg General Strike…later founded Canada's
first socialist political party, the CCF. It became the
New Democratic Party of Canada (NDP)…the political
party advocating the rights of workers and the
alternative choice during many Canadian elections
• Canadians began questioning the tactics and force
used by the government. Should governments be able
to attack…in newspapers and with guns…its citizens.
A Royal Commission said, “No.” Canadians agreed.