    |
     |
1914-1945: Introduction / War Years / Interwar Years / World War II / Changing Attitudes
World War II
Wartime security measures at home, meanwhile, would have long lasting effects upon immigrant groups. The passing of the Defence of Canada Regulations (DOCR) in 1939 gave sweeping wartime powers to the Canadian government, including the right to intern individuals suspected of undermining the war effort. Ukrainian-Canadians suspected of communist activity were also singled out for internment or their community associations were deemed unlawful. The Italian community in Nova Scotia was shocked when numerous members, suspected of subversive activities, were promptly sent without trial to Ontario for internment. German, Italian, and Ukrainian farmers in Saskatchewan were harassed by the 7,000 First World War veterans who enrolled in the Saskatchewan Veterans Civil Security Corps, which was empowered to root out "subversives."
|
National Archives of Canada (PA-143485). |
|
Internment Camp, Quebec, 1940. During the Second World War, the government imprisoned many Canadians of Italian and German descent because of their real or perceived pro-Fascist or pro-Nazi views. This internment was reminiscent of the detention of enemy aliens that occurred during the First World War. |
|
© Chinook Multimedia Inc., 2000. |
Previous Page