Relief Camps arose out of concern for large

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) • Federal government takes over camps and expands them across Canada – run by Dept of Nat’l Defence

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. ”

• “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. ”

• “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. ”

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

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. ”

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

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…”

• “…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…”

On-To-Ottawa!

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

• 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

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

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

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

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

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

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

New Political Parties… a) 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”)