CANADA HISTORY

The Regina Riot


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The On-to-Ottawa Trek and the Regina Riot of 1935 were pivotal events in Canadian history, representing a flashpoint in the tensions caused by the Great Depression and the disillusionment of the working class with the government. This period was marked by massive unemployment, deteriorating working conditions, and increasing desperation across the country, particularly in the western provinces. These events not only highlighted the economic struggles of ordinary Canadians but also shaped the political landscape, contributing to the decline of Prime Minister R.B. Bennett’s government and the eventual victory of Mackenzie King in the 1935 federal election.

The Conditions Leading to the Trek

By the mid-1930s, the Great Depression had ravaged Canada’s economy, driving unemployment rates to over 30% nationwide, with some areas, particularly in the West, reaching as high as 40%. Industrial production had fallen sharply, and businesses were cutting wages and laying off workers en masse. Many men, unable to find work, were forced into a transient lifestyle, riding the rails in search of jobs, or accepting places in government-established relief camps, which were notorious for their poor conditions, low pay, and regimentation. These relief camps, established by the Bennett government in 1932, were intended to keep unemployed men away from urban centers, providing them with basic shelter and food in exchange for manual labor at a meager wage of 20 cents a day. However, the camps became symbols of the government’s failure to address the root causes of unemployment and economic distress.

With workers trapped in these camps and wages so low, dissatisfaction grew. Many men felt humiliated, isolated, and deprived of their dignity. It was in this atmosphere of frustration and anger that the Workers' Unity League (WUL), a Communist-led labor organization, began to organize resistance. The WUL had been growing in influence since the early 1930s, particularly in British Columbia, and it played a central role in coordinating strikes and protests among relief camp workers. In April 1935, a movement began to gather momentum when over 1,400 men left the camps and converged on Vancouver to demand better conditions and more meaningful work opportunities.

The Trek to Ottawa

The workers, organized by the WUL, held numerous meetings and demonstrations, drawing attention to their plight. Their demands were simple: better wages, improved working conditions, and an end to the dehumanizing relief camps. Despite engaging with local authorities, including Premier T. Dufferin Pattullo of British Columbia and Vancouver’s mayor, no substantial progress was made. The government continually shifted responsibility to Ottawa, arguing that the federal government was the only authority capable of addressing the workers’ concerns.

By June, frustration had reached a boiling point. Over 1,000 men in Vancouver decided that if Ottawa would not come to them, they would go to Ottawa. Thus, the On-to-Ottawa Trek was born. The strikers commandeered trains from Vancouver, and as they moved eastward, more men joined the movement at every stop. By the time they reached Regina, the trek had become a national sensation, a symbol of working-class defiance against a federal government that many viewed as indifferent to their suffering.

The Standoff in Regina

Regina became the focal point of the Trek when Prime Minister R.B. Bennett’s government instructed the railway companies to block the strikers from traveling any further east. Negotiations between the trekkers and federal authorities resulted in a temporary standoff: eight representatives of the trekkers were allowed to continue to Ottawa to meet with government officials, while the rest of the men set up camp at the Regina Exhibition Grounds, where they received food and supplies from local supporters.

In Ottawa, the trekkers’ representatives met with Prime Minister Bennett, but the negotiations quickly broke down. Bennett, whose government had consistently resisted more significant intervention in the economic crisis, dismissed the trekkers’ demands, labeling them as radicals and communists. The trekkers left Ottawa empty-handed, realizing that they had been met with indifference and hostility. Meanwhile, back in Regina, the situation grew increasingly tense as it became clear that the government was not willing to concede any ground to the strikers.

The Regina Riot

On July 1, 1935, a rally was organized in downtown Regina to raise food and supplies for the trekkers who were preparing to disband and return home. However, Bennett’s government, having grown more confident following the breakdown of negotiations, decided to use force to put an end to the trek. The RCMP and local police were ordered to arrest the trek leaders and disperse the remaining strikers.

In the process of attempting to arrest the leaders, the situation quickly spiraled out of control. Police forces moved in on a gathering of about 300 trekkers, seeking to arrest their leaders. What began as a targeted police operation turned into a full-scale riot when violence broke out between the authorities and the trekkers. Regina’s streets were transformed into a battleground as clashes escalated, resulting in the death of one police officer, numerous injuries on both sides, and the arrest of 130 trekkers.

The Regina Riot became a symbol of the deep divisions in Canada during the Depression. The government’s heavy-handed response to a peaceful movement for economic justice shocked many Canadians, further eroding public confidence in Bennett’s administration.

The Aftermath and Impact

The On-to-Ottawa Trek and the Regina Riot had profound political consequences. While the trek ultimately failed to achieve its immediate goals, it succeeded in drawing national attention to the plight of the unemployed and the inadequacies of Bennett’s policies. The riot in Regina, in particular, was seen by many as evidence of the government’s callousness and inability to address the root causes of the Depression. This disillusionment played a significant role in Bennett’s electoral defeat later that year, as the Liberals, under Mackenzie King, returned to power.

For the labor movement, the trek was a moment of solidarity and resistance that inspired future efforts to organize and demand fair treatment. Although the relief camps continued to operate for another year, their legacy became tied to the government’s failure to offer meaningful solutions to the unemployment crisis. When the camps were eventually closed in 1936, they had seen over 170,000 men pass through their gates.

The Trek also had broader implications for social reform in Canada. The strikers' demands for improved conditions and government intervention foreshadowed the eventual establishment of a more comprehensive social safety net in the post-World War II era. The widespread discontent among workers and the unemployed contributed to the rise of new political movements, such as the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation (CCF), which would push for social and economic reforms in the years to come.

Relevance to Canadian History

The On-to-Ottawa Trek and the Regina Riot hold a significant place in Canadian history because they reflect the struggles of ordinary Canadians during the Great Depression and the growing demand for government intervention in the economy. They also underscore the tensions between a federal government that was resistant to change and a population desperate for relief and reform.

The events helped to galvanize public support for more active government involvement in addressing social and economic issues, laying the groundwork for future reforms, including unemployment insurance and public welfare programs. Moreover, the Trek is emblematic of the broader labor struggles in Canada, highlighting the role of unions and labor activists in shaping public policy.

Finally, the Trek also symbolizes the broader political realignments that occurred in Canada during the Depression. The failure of the Bennett government to address the crisis effectively led to the Liberal resurgence under Mackenzie King, who would dominate Canadian politics for the next two decades. It also marked the beginning of a shift towards more progressive social policies in Canada, as the post-war period would see the creation of the welfare state, with expanded government responsibility for the economic and social well-being of its citizens.

In conclusion, the On-to-Ottawa Trek and the Regina Riot were pivotal moments in the history of Canadian labor and politics. They revealed the deep economic and social divisions of the Depression era, contributed to the downfall of a federal government, and set the stage for the social reforms that would emerge in the following decades. Their legacy is a reminder of the power of collective action in the face of adversity and the importance of government responsibility in addressing the needs of all citizens.


Cite Article : www.canadahistory.com/sections/documents



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