Nationalism and Autonomy of Canada: The Union Movement

Nationalism and the Autonomy of Canada: 1896-1945 - Part 3: The Transformation of Society at the Beginning of the 20th Century

The Union Movement

• Industrialization created greater social inequalities.
• Individuals and organizations sought change.
• Unions continued to advocate for workers' interests during the second phase of industrialization.
• Unions demanded reduced working hours and compensation for injured workers.
• Early 20th-century unions in Quebec and Canada were largely comprised of American organizations, such as the Knights of Labor and the American Federation of Labor.

The Union Movement (continued)

• Despite labor laws passed in the first phase of industrialization, workers remained powerless.
• Unions pushed for laws regulating work practices.
• 1909: Workers' Compensation Act was introduced - mandatory compensation for work-related injuries (50% of income).
• 1926: Amended Compensation Act – increased compensation to injured employees to 50% of income.
• These laws were often ignored.

The Union Movement - Union Demands

• Unions used strikes as a tool to pressure the government and employers.
• The government sometimes intervened in labor disputes, possibly using force to break up strikes.
• Unions employed measures to put pressure on governments and employers.
• They employed certain conditions for striking
  • All other methods to resolve grievances had to be exhausted first without successful resolution.
  • The cause of the strike had to be just.
  • The possibility for success had to be assured.
  • Two-thirds of the workers had to vote in support.

The Social Action of the Catholic Church

• The Church played a significant social role (hospitals, schools, charities).
• The Church was concerned about growing societal inequalities and the influence of foreign unions.
• The Church embraced a new social doctrine which considered unions but with the oversight and authority of the church.
• It advocated for solidarity, charity, and reduced socio-economic inequality resulting from industrialization.
• The Church founded Catholic unions and formed the Canadian Catholic Confederation of Labour in 1921.
• Statistics show growth of priests and members of religious communities (1901-1931).

Municipal Services

• Increased urbanization during the second half of industrialization prompted measures to improve living conditions in cities.
• Lack of infrastructure and services in densely populated areas led to epidemics.
• Measures to improve living standards and sanitation included: garbage collection, sewer systems, water chlorination/filtration, public health clinics ("milk stations"), and electrification.

The Education System

• Most Francophone children did not complete elementary school.
• A bill for mandatory school attendance was proposed, but was rejected because of Church opposition.
• Few education reforms were passed. In 1923, the duration of elementary school was increased from 4 to 6 years.

Women's Struggles

• The feminist movement grew significantly in the early 20th century.
• Key demands focused on education, occupational opportunities, wages, and the right to vote.
• There was resistance from political and religious groups.
• Women's organizations faced challenges from various sources and groups.

Women's Struggles (continued)

• Canadian women gained the right to vote in federal elections by 1918 and in Quebec elections by 1940.
• Women faced wage discrimination and limited job opportunities. Average female wages were only 56% of male wages.