Government Policies
During the war, under the War Measures Act, the government owned the right to limit many of the freedoms that are important to us as Canadians for the sake of making sure that information would not be leaked to the enemy. Certain policies were placed that felt necessary at the time, but had lash backs later on, such as the issue of conscription. Luckily, many of the measures enforced during the war were revoked when it had been won, and citizens could return to regular life.
Conscription
Conscription had been a controversial conflict during World War I between Anglophones and Francophones, as some believed that conscription was vital to supporting the troops in the war front, while others believed that the system of enlistment functioned well and did not need to be replaced. In 1940, during the elections, Prime Minister William King rejected conscription, but enacted the National Resources Mobilization Bill, which allowed conscription for services within Canada's borders. This all changed in 1942, when the Prime Minister held a plebiscite for conscription. Majority of Anglophones voted for conscription while the majority of Francophones voted against it.
When the time arose to use conscription, Prime Minister King sent 13 000 troops to serve overseas. This produced outrage in the Francophone communities, as King had promised to not use conscription. Mass riots broke out. However, with the large amounts of losses sustained during the invasion of Italy and Normandy, it was necessary.
When the time arose to use conscription, Prime Minister King sent 13 000 troops to serve overseas. This produced outrage in the Francophone communities, as King had promised to not use conscription. Mass riots broke out. However, with the large amounts of losses sustained during the invasion of Italy and Normandy, it was necessary.
Propaganda
Propaganda was not a policy set by the government, but a tool to enforce its policies. Propaganda was used to sway public opinion into having like-minded goals as the government. It appealed to citizens' emotions, sense of duty, and nationalism. During this time, posters and other forms of media, like movies, were used to convey the importance of the war. The National Film Commission, established in 1939, was created for this exact purpose, and still remains today, but is now known as the National Film Board.
At the same time, the government made sure to censor any information or ideas that might go against the government. Letters from the war front were screened, while newspapers and radio broadcasts were carefully monitored so that any information that might help the enemy could be avoided. This was all done to ensure the safety of troops and Allied operations, and to maintain public opinion for the government, but it came at the price of certain freedoms, like freedom of the press and freedom of expression.
At the same time, the government made sure to censor any information or ideas that might go against the government. Letters from the war front were screened, while newspapers and radio broadcasts were carefully monitored so that any information that might help the enemy could be avoided. This was all done to ensure the safety of troops and Allied operations, and to maintain public opinion for the government, but it came at the price of certain freedoms, like freedom of the press and freedom of expression.
Some of the propaganda poster used to encourage people to contribute towards the war effort. Created by the War Production Board.
Internment Camps
Internment camps were used to separate potential enemies of the country. These people were usually targeted based on their ethnicity or political standing, and were dubbed "enemy aliens." Common people sent to these internment camps were Canadians of German and Italian descent, while any fascist or communist supporters were also placed in internment camps.
Another group of people that were targeted for these camps were the Japanese. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Canada feared a similar bombing. To prevent this from happening, Canadian authorities placed Japanese-Canadians in internment camps, their possessions and business would be confiscated, and they would even have to work and pay for the lodging in these camps.
Another group of people that were targeted for these camps were the Japanese. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, Canada feared a similar bombing. To prevent this from happening, Canadian authorities placed Japanese-Canadians in internment camps, their possessions and business would be confiscated, and they would even have to work and pay for the lodging in these camps.