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Relief Camps

Relief Camps. arose out of concern for large numbers of homeless, jobless single men who did not qualify for relief under the 2 nd Relief Act BC government establishes camps in rural areas (away from cities)

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Relief Camps

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  1. Relief Camps • arose out of concern for large numbers of homeless, jobless single men who did not qualify for relief under the 2nd Relief Act • BC government establishes camps in rural areas (away from cities) • Federal government takes over camps and expands them across Canada – run by Dept of Nat’l Defence

  2. Relief Camp Rules… • “To be admitted… must be single, male, not living at home, healthy and fit, unemployed, at least 18 yrs. old, and not a political agitator • Given free transportation to the camp • If you decide to leave…for any reason except to take a job, you will not be allowed to return.”

  3. “On entering the camp, you will receive free: • A set of work clothes • Soap and towels • A bunk bed • Three meals per day • Use of showers, toilets and laundry facilities.”

  4. “You will work 44 hours per week on projects such as road building and tree planting • You will be given an allowance of 20 cents per day plus 1.3 cents per day for tobacco.”

  5. “No committees of camp workers may be formed. Any complaints must be reported individually to the camp foreman.”

  6. Complaints of Relief Camp Workers • “The superintendents are …too severe. It’s worse than being in the army!” • “We aren’t supposed to form any committees to try and improve things.” • “The food is lousy!” • “The doctor is never here to take care of the sick and injured. And all the dentist does to any tooth is yank it out.”

  7. “I don’t think we should be denied the right to vote!”

  8. Demands… • “work and wages at minimum 50 cents per hour… • …work to be on the basis of a five-day week, six hour working day, and minimum 20 days work per month… • All workers…covered by Compensation Act…adequate first aid supplies on all relief jobs… • …camps taken out of the control of Dept. of Defence…”

  9. “…a genuine system of …unemployment insurance [be provided]…. • democratically elected committee of relief workers be recognized by the authorities… • ….all workers be guaranteed their democratic right to vote…”

  10. On-To-Ottawa!

  11. Trek Timeline… • May 30: Trek leaves Vancouver: “riding the rods” • June 6 – Trek arrives in Golden BC – townspeople offer support • June 12 – Trek arrives in Moose Jaw SK – more expressions of support • Trek arrives in Regina SK – trek grows to more than 5000 riders

  12. June 16: PM Bennett issues orders to stop the trekkers: “…an organized effort on the part of various Communist organizations…to effect the overthrow of constituted authority in defiance of the laws of the land.” • Trek leaders continue to Ottawa to meet with Bennett – return with no concessions from the government

  13. July 1: Dominion Day- 500 trekkers gather in downtown Regina for speeches/protest

  14. The Regina Riot… • RCMP armed with baseball bats attempt to arrest speakers • riot ensues • RCMP eventually encircles trekkers • RCMP sets up machine gun at entrance to trekkers’ camp • 40 trekkers wounded

  15. 1 killed • Charles Millar • Off-duty police officer • Who killed him?

  16. Aftermath… • 1000 trekkers jailed • 6 trek leaders imprisoned – several deported • membership in some unions made illegal • and yet…

  17. Bennett’s “New Deal” • Bennett’s plan for 1935 election campaign • Bennett promises: • Health and unemployment insurance • Maximum work week • Financial assistance for farmers • Economic Council of Canada to advise gov’t

  18. BUT… • Many Canadians disillusioned • BOTH of Canada’s political parties (Liberals and Conservatives) unable to end Depression • Capitalism failing to make many people’s lives better, so… • Search for alternative (more extreme?) ideas

  19. New Political Parties… • List the names of the 3 new Canadian political parties that formed during the Depression b) For each party, identify its leader AND briefly describe its main ideas (ie. its “platform”)

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