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Response of the Canadian Government to the Great Depression. By Logan Barnes, Zach Shea, Kaitlyn Worsley , and Kathryn Greisiger. Mackenzie King. He was on and off as the Prime Minister of Canada. Liberal “Help those who cannot help themselves” was his motto.
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Response of the Canadian Government to the Great Depression By Logan Barnes, Zach Shea, KaitlynWorsley, and Kathryn Greisiger
Mackenzie King • He was on and off as the Prime Minister of Canada. • Liberal • “Help those who cannot help themselves” was his motto. • King lacked the typical personal attributes of great leaders like Franklin D. Roosevelt of the U.S. and Winston Churchill of Great Britain. • When King came back to office in 1935, he wanted free trade with the U.S. • Created the National Employment Commission to help create employment opportunities and reorganize relief expenditures, but was not effective. • In 1938, $25 million was added to the budget of the NEC, this was a turning point in Canadian fiscal policy.
Mackenzie King • This was the first time that Canadian government had spent money to counteract a low business cycle. • King helped pass a National Housing Act to encourage the building of homes.
RB Bennett • Prime Minister of Canada from 1930 to 1935. • Defeated Mackenzie King in the 1930 federal election. • Conservative • Tried to fight the Great Depression by increasing trade within the British empire. • Wanted to impose tariffs for imports from outside the British empire. • He wanted to create “New Deal” program similar to that of Franklin D. Roosevelt. • Created the Bank of Canada and also the Canadian Wheat Board. • Introduced legislation to regulate hours of work, minimum wages, and working conditions for social security.
RB Bennett • Believed that the free market would correct itself eventually. • Was often blamed for all of Canada’s troubles by the Canadian people. • Majority of Bennett’s policies were ineffective. • Made labor camps for unemployed men, oh who would pay 20 cents a day for a 44-hour week of labor.
Canadian Government • The Great Depression greatly impacted Canada, perhaps more so than anywhere else. • Canada’s economy was already small and dependent on its exports. • When the rate at which they exported goods slowed, it devastated their economy. • Many politicians of Canada turned a blind eye towards New York City, and refused to accept that Canada would decline. • Did not want to deal with unemployment.