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Effects of a World War in Canada. War Measures Act. Created in 1914 – may be invoked during war, invasion, or insurrection (uprising). Gives the government powers over citizens Arrest without charge detain without trial seize & dispose without charge Censor the news media
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War Measures Act • Created in 1914 – may be invoked during war, invasion, or insurrection (uprising). • Gives the government powers over citizens • Arrest without charge • detain without trial • seize & dispose without charge • Censor the news media • Tell farmers and factory-owners what to produce • Exercised through Cabinets orders. Does not require approval of Parliament.
Use in Canada, WWI • Immigrants from nations that were connected directly or indirectly with the Austro-Hungarian Empire and Germany (Austria, Hungary, Germany and Ukraine) were classed as enemy aliens under the War Measures Act. • required to carry ID at all times • not permitted to: • possess firearms • leave the country without permission • publish or read anything in a language other than English or French.
Treatment of “Enemy Aliens” • Thousands of these enemy aliens wereinterned in camps or deported from Canada. • German and Ukrainian Canadians • not until the labour shortage in Canada were these interned individuals released in an attempt to boost the economy and the war effort.
Internment Camps • Hard physical labour, for little pay (25 cents a day; Soldiers in Canadian Military earned $1.10/day) • Chop wood, cut ice, break rocks, build roads • Internment camp workers built parts of many of Canada’s National Parks (Banff especially!) • Isolated from Canadian society; camps were in remote locations