Canada’s labour movement has a long history with the ultimate goal of improving workers’ everyday lives. Workers fought for the rights enjoyed by all workers today – minimum wages, overtime pay, workplace safety standards, maternity and parental leave, vacation pay, and protection from discrimination and harassment. This history – which is still an ongoing struggle – has been one of enormous obstacles that required passion and commitment. The National Film Board’s short film As Friend and Foe sheds light on the Canadian government’s role in labour relations during the last century.
In the mid 19th century, railroads, lumber, mining, manufacturing were prospering all over the country as the industrial revolution made progress in all industries. To help production grow, immigration laws reflected the need for workers. Albeit, theses occupations were often dangerous and risky for both new-comers and Canadian labourers. It is well known that there is power in numbers and one of …show more content…
For one, I had never been made aware of the Winnipeg General Strike of 1919; After the First World War, Canadian soldiers returned home and the found that jobs were scarce, and inflation was rampant. The high-level of unemployment encouraged workers across the country to demand unions to secure their livelihood. However, instead of addressing the need for inflation controls and job security, he government bared the iron fist. When the people refused to listen the municipal police, the liberal government ordered in the military and the RCMP. The troops roamed through the street with trucks armed with machine guns. Consequently, 10 unions leaders were arrested, and 24 strikers were wounded or killed. The government justified their decision by claiming that the strike was a result of rebels attempting to start a Bolshevik revolution in Winnipeg – an aftershock of the revolution in Russia 18 months prior to this
In the mid 19th century, railroads, lumber, mining, manufacturing were prospering all over the country as the industrial revolution made progress in all industries. To help production grow, immigration laws reflected the need for workers. Albeit, theses occupations were often dangerous and risky for both new-comers and Canadian labourers. It is well known that there is power in numbers and one of …show more content…
For one, I had never been made aware of the Winnipeg General Strike of 1919; After the First World War, Canadian soldiers returned home and the found that jobs were scarce, and inflation was rampant. The high-level of unemployment encouraged workers across the country to demand unions to secure their livelihood. However, instead of addressing the need for inflation controls and job security, he government bared the iron fist. When the people refused to listen the municipal police, the liberal government ordered in the military and the RCMP. The troops roamed through the street with trucks armed with machine guns. Consequently, 10 unions leaders were arrested, and 24 strikers were wounded or killed. The government justified their decision by claiming that the strike was a result of rebels attempting to start a Bolshevik revolution in Winnipeg – an aftershock of the revolution in Russia 18 months prior to this