War on the Home Front

• 1. Canadian economy booming - supplying war effort and goods go to Europe, prices rise in Canada, wages stay the same, profiteers happy, workers unhappy
• 1. Rationing - limiting consumption of food and supplies so more are available for the soldiers
• 1. Victory bonds - patriotic savings bonds sold to public to pay for the war
• • Income Tax “temporary” tax on workers’ wages and money borrowed from other countries
• • Women filled in the gaps left by the men who went to fight in the war
  • Took over many traditional “male” jobs
  • Nurses were sometimes called “Sisters of Mercy” or “Angels of Mercy”
  • Nicknamed “Bluebirds” because of their blue uniforms and white veils
  • 30 000 women gained employment in machine shops, metal factories, and shipyards
  • Worked making guns, bullets, bombs, uniforms, ships, tanks, and planes
• • Much opposition for women moving into the public sphere of work
  • Paid 30% of a man's wage