THE GREAT DEPRESSION THE GREAT DEPRESSION IN CANADAIN CANADA

The Post-War BoomThe Post-War Boom

Post-war slump after the warPost-war slump after the war Increased prosperity in the U.S. Increased prosperity in the U.S.

created demand for Canadian goodscreated demand for Canadian goods-raw materials (copper and zinc), -raw materials (copper and zinc),

electronics, autos, pulp and paperelectronics, autos, pulp and paperAgricultural prices rebounded in the Agricultural prices rebounded in the

mid 1920’smid 1920’s

The End of the BoomThe End of the Boom

Canadian production exceeded Canadian production exceeded demanddemand

Increased tariffs cut tradeIncreased tariffs cut tradeOver-dependence on staple productsOver-dependence on staple productsOver-dependence on the US economyOver-dependence on the US economyHeavy debt burden on the govt. and Heavy debt burden on the govt. and

individualsindividualsReliance on the US economyReliance on the US economy

The Economic Impact of the The Economic Impact of the DepressionDepression

Imports fell 25%Imports fell 25%Exports fell 55%Exports fell 55%Wheat prices fell 75%Wheat prices fell 75%Unemployment reached 27%Unemployment reached 27%Agricultural areas- falling prices and Agricultural areas- falling prices and

the Dust Bowlthe Dust BowlUrban areas-unemployment & falling Urban areas-unemployment & falling

wageswages

The Social ImpactThe Social Impact

Canada was built on the promise of Canada was built on the promise of land ownership. Shattered by land ownership. Shattered by foreclosuresforeclosures

New Foundland was bankrupt and New Foundland was bankrupt and return to colonial statusreturn to colonial status

Loss of self-worthLoss of self-worth Immigration cut and xenophobia Immigration cut and xenophobia

increasedincreased

Mackenzie King’s ResponseMackenzie King’s Response

Claimed that relief was a Claimed that relief was a responsibility of the provincesresponsibility of the provinces

Refused to subsidize the provinces to Refused to subsidize the provinces to keep the federal budget balancedkeep the federal budget balanced

Lost the election of 1930Lost the election of 1930

R. B. Bennett’s ResponseR. B. Bennett’s Response

Increased tariffs to protect Canadian Increased tariffs to protect Canadian industryindustry

Allocated $20 million for relief which Allocated $20 million for relief which went to provincial, then local went to provincial, then local governmentsgovernments

-Costs bankrupted the city of Montreal-Costs bankrupted the city of MontrealSet up a CCC type of program that Set up a CCC type of program that

paid young men 20 cents a daypaid young men 20 cents a day

Bennett’s Federal ProgramsBennett’s Federal Programs

Canadian Wheat Board- help in grain Canadian Wheat Board- help in grain marketingmarketing

The Bank of Canada- set up Canada’s The Bank of Canada- set up Canada’s first national bankfirst national bank

The CBC- created the govt. The CBC- created the govt. broadcasting commissionbroadcasting commission

Programs based on belief that free Programs based on belief that free enterprise was the solutionenterprise was the solution

Bennett’s New DealBennett’s New Deal

Changed his approach and looked to Changed his approach and looked to FDR’s programFDR’s program

Planned to work on wages, working Planned to work on wages, working hours, farm credit, and hours, farm credit, and unemployment insuranceunemployment insurance

Lost the election to Mackenzie King Lost the election to Mackenzie King in 1935in 1935

The On to Ottawa TrekThe On to Ottawa Trek

Single unemployed men wandered in Single unemployed men wandered in search of work and lived in “Bennett search of work and lived in “Bennett Boroughs”Boroughs”

Men organized in the work camps Men organized in the work camps Arthur Evans organized the trek, Arthur Evans organized the trek,

which soon had 2000 supporterswhich soon had 2000 supportersBennett decided to stop it in Bennett decided to stop it in

WinnipegWinnipeg

The Regina RiotThe Regina Riot

The RCMP attacked and arrested The RCMP attacked and arrested over 100 Trekkersover 100 Trekkers

The fighting lasted all day and hurt The fighting lasted all day and hurt Bennett’s re-election chancesBennett’s re-election chances

King’s ReturnKing’s Return

Used the Canadian Supreme Court Used the Canadian Supreme Court do undo Bennett’s New Dealdo undo Bennett’s New Deal

Cut government spending and issued Cut government spending and issued tax cutstax cuts

His conservative approach hurt the His conservative approach hurt the Liberal Party and did little to pull the Liberal Party and did little to pull the country out of the depressioncountry out of the depression