Canadian working-class history is full of struggles against injustice and many victories resulting in improved working conditions. Although Canadians are very industrious people, not much attention has previously been paid to this topic. The FortRoddHill experts decided to remedy the situation. We analyzed all the major events surrounding the history of the working class in Canada and researched changes industrialization, unionization, and economic shifts have brought to workers’ lives. Our team also paid attention to the strikes in which the workers participated and their results.
The History of the Working Class in Canada
Canadian workers’ impact on society’s development cannot be overemphasized. The unity of the working class led to the creation of the trade union movement that showed Canadians that they should struggle for their rights and get better working conditions. The FortRoddHill team explored the history of the working class from 1890 to the present, highlighting key moments.
Early Industrial Period (1840-1870)
The working class history in Canada began during the period of industrialization. Until then, many people in the country had made their living as individual farmers, artisans, or fishermen. In the 1840s, there was a shift from agrarian policy to industrial production, which led to an increase in extractive industries, the growth of cities, and the construction of railroads. As a consequence, the need for labour increased. Montreal, Toronto, and Halifax were the first cities to have factories. The workforce mainly consisted of rural Canadians who moved to the city and immigrants from Ireland and Great Britain.
Working conditions were poor then. People spent a lot of time in the factories and received meagre wages. Unions’ protection of their interests was illegal in many provinces. For example, the Nova Scotia government forbade workers to bargain wage increases or reduced working hours, or they would be imprisoned. However, the bans could not stop disgruntled workers, and in 1843, printers started striking in Toronto. The protests also took place on the Welland and Lachine canals. They resulted in the establishment of labour unions in many cities. However, they had no real rights until the next historical period.
Industrial Unionism (1870-1919)
The main feature of the Canadian working class history at that time was cohesion. The construction of the Pacific Railway and the growth of the steel and coal industries created a concentrated labour force of Canadians and immigrants from China and Eastern Europe. Consequently, the workers’ struggle for their rights became even more intense.
The year 1872 was rich in strikes. In Montreal, there was a so-called Nine-Hour Movement. Workers demanded a reduction in the workday from 12 to 9 hours. A large printing company in Toronto also went on strike, and in Hamilton, more than 1,500 workers paraded through the streets demanding adequate working conditions. As a result, Prime Minister John A. Macdonald was forced to introduce the Trade Unions Act in the same year, which stated that trade unions should not be considered illegal.
The Knights of Labour, with a membership exceeding 20,000 people, was a key organization in that period of the working class history in Canada. Members criticized the capitalist society and demanded the government to take action. As a result of their efforts, in 1889, the Royal Commission on Labour-Capital Relations submitted a report calling unions necessary to protect workers’ rights. In 1894, the government officially established Labour Day, an annual holiday falling on the first Monday in September.
Despite concessions from the government, labour conditions were deplorable. Most workers from the lower classes were below the poverty line. It led to a general strike in Winnipeg in 1919 involving more than 30,000 workers.
The Great Depression and World War II (1929-1945)
The 1930s were difficult for the proletariat. The Great Depression caused total unemployment. The government assisted men by creating a system of camps where they could obtain accommodation and food by performing hard physical labour. However, the payoffs were disproportionate to the demands, so riots occurred everywhere. The On-to-Ottawa Trek of 1935 marked the height of discontent. Protesters demanded better living conditions and employment opportunities. In 1937, the Oshawa Strike occurred, involving more than 4,000 workers. The unions grew, reaching a membership of up to one million workers.
During World War II, industrial production increased, and women joined the labour force, working in factories. Like men, they fought for their rights. Consequently, in 1944, a significant breakthrough in working-class history occurred when the government passed the Industrial Relations and Disputes Investigation Act. It protected the right of workers to join a union and required employers to recognize unions. Working conditions and wages began to improve. For example, the United Auto Workers succeeded in securing adequate wages for workers during wartime.
Post-war Boom and Public Sector Growth (1945-1975)
The post-war period is considered the most peaceful in the history of the working class in Canada. At that time, an economic boom enabled the government to provide jobs for most of the working population. Many workers wanted to join trade unions, but not all of them paid membership fees. In 1946, the Supreme Court of Canada adopted the Rand Formula, which required all trade union members to pay fees. This decision allowed unions to receive funding and thus better fulfil their task of protecting workers’ rights.
Public sector employment has also increased. As a result, it became necessary to create separate trade unions for workers in this area. However, this event did not happen immediately. The postal workers’ strike of 1965 preceded it. The government made concessions and allowed public employees to obtain collective bargaining rights similar to those of other workers. Thus, medical workers and teachers have achieved a wage increase.
The growing number of female workers has also positively impacted labour advocacy. As trade union members, they fought for maternity leave, equal pay, and anti-discrimination policies.
Crisis and Restructuring (1975-2000)
The 1970s in Canada were characterized by stagflation and deindustrialization, negatively affecting workers. The number of jobs fell sharply. The government policy aimed at maximizing the preservation of budget money was against the interests of workers, and this situation led to layoffs and wage cuts. For example, federal budget cuts in the mid-1990s under Prime Minister Jean Chretien led to reduced funding for health care and social services.
High-profile strikes marked this work history period in Canada. In 1981, air traffic controllers protested, demanding the return of benefits and wage increases. In the 1990s, there were Ontario Days of Action, during which tens of thousands of workers protested against cuts to social services, education, and health care.
Women began to play a greater role in trade union movements. According to 1996 statistics, the female labour force participation rate was 45%. They became union heads and expanded the list of demands, which now included decrees, parental leave, and equal pay for workers of both sexes.
Contemporary Period (2000-Present)
The labour market changed in the 2000s due to the increased popularity of part-time and temporary work. Consequently, workers could not receive benefits and increased wages, which is still a problem today. Technological advances, particularly the emergence of AI, lead to the potential risk of job losses.
Unions are now advocating for policies to support retraining programs and a fair transition to new industries. They continue to strike. The most iconic strike was the Fight for $15 and Fairness in 2021. Low-wage workers who participated demanded an increase in the minimum wage.
Technological breakthroughs and digitalization have also affected labour unions, which use digital tools to organize and mobilize workers. As the nature of work continues to change, the Canadian working class remains at the forefront of the struggle for fair treatment, equality, and sustainability in the workplace.
Best Book About Working-Class History
If you would like to read more about the history of the working class in Canada, we have a recommendation for you. Canadian Working-Class History is a book that compiles research on the history, politics, and social groups of Canada’s working class. Editors Laurel Sefton MacDowell and Ian Radforth have compiled information from the 19th century to the modern era. They focus on society activism, stressing that collective action has renegotiated initially intolerable working conditions and allowed workers to receive adequate wages, social benefits and labour protection.
The FortRoddHill team read the book carefully. We would like to note that its strongest point is its innovative approach. Canadian Working-Class History includes analyses and personal stories of participants in events of different historical periods. This allows readers to explore the real human stories behind each milestone.
Summary
The FortRoddHill experts have extensively researched Canadian working-class history. Our investigation has shown that the proletariat had to overcome many difficulties to obtain normal working conditions. Collective participation played a key role in achieving success. By unionizing, people demanded higher wages and pensions, social protection, and workplace safety.
Currently, trade unions continue to struggle for workers’ interests. They are facing new challenges, such as digitalization and technological breakthroughs, which may cause many employees to face layoffs. However, unions are using new technologies to their advantage, pushing for fairness and justice in all areas of labour activity.
FAQ
How Did the Great Depression Affect Canadian Workers?
The Great Depression caused unemployment, lower wages, and worse working conditions. This led to protests that resulted in labour rights reforms.
What Was the Significance of the “Rand Formula”?
The “Rand Formula” ensured stable union funding and allowed unions to protect workers’ rights better.
How Did Indigenous Workers Fit Into Canada’s Labor History?
Although the government tried to limit the rights of Indigenous people to normal working conditions, such as through the Indian Act, they have contributed significantly to the history of labour relations. They have advocated for fair wages, higher pensions, and benefits and continue to do so today.