One of the most discouraging issues of this time was that not only were foreign workers mistreated, but the citizens of Canada also suffered from the long work hours, horrible working conditions and back-breaking labour.
But from 1867 - 1939, several groups began to stand up for their own values and expectations. Out of these, 2 of the most influential groups were:
But from 1867 - 1939, several groups began to stand up for their own values and expectations. Out of these, 2 of the most influential groups were:
The Communist Party of Canada (CPC)
Founded in 1921, their goals were focused mainly on the equality of all the citizens of Canada, promising free speech rights, 8-hour work days, and an end to unemployment. From this organization came the Youth Communists' League of Canada, whose goals—although similar to those of the CPC—bases their attention upon the quality of treatment towards the youths of this country. With already 40 schools built/developed for the use of the public, the organization grew to include 4,300 members, spread across 144 branches. Unfortunately, in the early 1930s the organization was shut down due to the arrest and deportation of their political secretary Tim Buck.
Industrial workers of the world (iww)
Another organization that supported this cause was one that was originally based in Chicago, Illinois, before extending their branches up into Canada in 1906. This group worked to improve the rights of unskilled workers, often foreign, by supporting large groups protesting the working conditions of their workplace. One of the main events concerning the IWW included the Fraser River Railway strike in 1912 when over 8000 men stopped work on the 640 kilometre railway, which later encouraged the workers on the Grand Trunk Pacific line to join the strike.
These groups of people did not agree with the low wages (sometimes only 20 cents everyday), and fought against the oppression of the big corporations who were able to employ many people and pay little wages. One 16 year old Russian tailor in Canada talked about her experiences while working in Canada.
"The tailors officially worked 59 hours a week," said Medres. "Unofficially, during the busy season, they worked from dawn until dusk. The workers were embittered by poverty and misfortune. There was perpetual class struggle between the workers and their employers."
From there, the local social welfare stated that:
"To get this much, a man must have continuous work with no sickness, no changes in jobs, and he must not waste his money on drink or dissipation. Granted all this he can give a family of five a mere existence. No allowance is here made for sickness, recreation, church, house furnishings, lectures and savings." The family would also have to live," the social welfare report stated, "in insanitary quarters, sometimes below street level."
This quotation was talking about the meager income of around $550 every year per worker, and also stated that in order to get that you would have to work non-stop, overtime, and in completely unfair conditions.
And even though you could see these environments
"The tailors officially worked 59 hours a week," said Medres. "Unofficially, during the busy season, they worked from dawn until dusk. The workers were embittered by poverty and misfortune. There was perpetual class struggle between the workers and their employers."
From there, the local social welfare stated that:
"To get this much, a man must have continuous work with no sickness, no changes in jobs, and he must not waste his money on drink or dissipation. Granted all this he can give a family of five a mere existence. No allowance is here made for sickness, recreation, church, house furnishings, lectures and savings." The family would also have to live," the social welfare report stated, "in insanitary quarters, sometimes below street level."
This quotation was talking about the meager income of around $550 every year per worker, and also stated that in order to get that you would have to work non-stop, overtime, and in completely unfair conditions.
And even though you could see these environments