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

with the government, regarding fair wages. Unemployment was high with an estimated 25% of people without jobs throughout the Depression, while relationships suffered due to stress of daily life. Immediate changes regarded closed job opportunities, self-value decreasing, and secondary education becoming worthless as there was no employment demand. Long term reform included the development of the welfare system, mental health issues and emotional trauma. Analysis of short term, immediate and long term change will reveal the extent to which social reform took place in Canada.
Beginning in 1929, unemployment spread out evenly among Canada, though export orientated areas and industries were impacted the most from the crash of the stock market.

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

a new social order;
“The immediate result or expression of economic collapse is the creation of a large group of citizens to whom work is denied and who become a permanent charge upon the community, to be supported at a level of bare subsistence. Housed in the most miserable dwellings, socially ostracized by the employed section of the society”.
This statement has significant value as it sums up the lives of numerous Canadians facing the Depression. Completion of secondary education became worthless as the lack of working fields left little to no opportunity to advance peoples future careers, while the humiliation of applying for relief only decreased self-value. Reality for the Canadian population during the 1930’s can verify immediate social reform progressed to a severe extent and propose that the discouragement of this decade reflects the outcome that is presented by historians.
In order to properly analyze social reform in Canada, events prior to the 1930’s must be taken into account. During the 1920’s, agriculture, mining, fishing, and lumbering were flourishing, while manufacturing was at a high level. Employment was steady with low wages and salaries, however, goods and services were low as well resulting with a balance. Living in the Depression resulted with emotional trauma due to the harsh economic, political, and social conditions within Canada. Historians suggest that the lack of social existence contributed to the permanent alteration of social beliefs, attitudes, and psychological well-being. The opinion of ordinary Canadians during the depression must be recognized to effectively understand long term reform; “Save and never spend. Don’t enjoy yourself. Save for your old age. Remember, there can be another Depression. Remember. Save. Be frugal. Save for your old age”. The significance being the representation of Canadians thoughts after experiencing the depression. “I had Depression trauma, a disease”. As this was the reality for many, this reveals the severity of social reform exemplifying mental change. Studies show that suicide rates rose from 12.1% in 1920 to 18.1% in 1929, then decreasing to 15.4% in 1940. These statistics represent domestic issues facing Canadians as people’s psychological well-being’s were suffering from debt, malnutrition, and lack of enjoyment. It is with great importance to also highlight welfare development as it is based off of relief. During 1939, the Canadian welfare council stated that a total of $900,000,000 was spent on relief purposes and therefore, suggested the improvement of the system. 1939 marked the progression of the welfare system as their goal was renew the Canadian mindset and lead the success of the country. Historians suggest that the importance of this event ultimately lead to the welfare system of present date. Comparisons between the 1920’s and 1930’s distinguish the social reform that took place, and an accurate conclusion can be made that the magnitude of long term social reform is highly evident.
Within this historiographic study, it is clear to conclude that the Great Depression resulted in a severe extent of social reform as supported by Michiel Horn, Barry Broadfoot, Frank Underhill and a variety of other specialized historians. Conclusive evidence regarding amounts of unemployment, relief, unions, and emotional trauma, along with the comparison between the 1920’s and 1930’s reveals the impact that this historical event left on the Canadian population. Citizens suffered and endured mental, physical, and emotional pain while Canada itself was left with a traumatic memory never to be forgotten. With the lack of inspiration to propel as a country, the Great Depression can be considered a pivotal decade in history and should be noted in order to value the importance of social reform in Canada.
By Rachel Herzog