Conscription was a divisive issue in Canada during World War II, passing over Quebec's opposition. Conscientious objectors contributed through non-combat roles. Women played important jobs on the home front and in weapons manufacturing but faced discrimination in the military. Japanese Canadians were interned in camps, and their property was confiscated, despite little security justification. Over 1000 Jewish refugees aboard the SS St. Louis were also turned away from Canada and other countries, with many later captured and killed in the Holocaust.

1. The Home Front

2. Conscription •King had come to power opposing conscription in WWI •Held a plebiscite asking Canadians to decide on conscription •English Canada voted YES, Quebec voted NO •"Conscription if necessary, but not necessarily conscription” -King •It was implemented at the end of the war, but no conscripts saw action in Europe - for home defense only.

4. Supported non-violent ways to bring change and end conflict

5. Contribute to the war effort by :

6. Buying Victory bonds

7. Farming or forestry

9. Economic and Social Conditions •Rationing (ration books) •Very high employment – not enough workers •Many women filled men's jobs - state funded daycare •Wage and price controls •Federal spending very high •Income taxes increased •Victory bonds

13. Racism at Home Official and unofficial racism against “enemy aliens" - German and Italian Canadians •Japanese internment camps •March 1942 all Japanese were moved to the interior •Property confiscated •Families separated •Men paid 25 cents a day •Given nothing back after the war •More than 6000 were sent to Japan •Government issued official apology in 1988 and gave each internee still living $21 000.

16. Turned away from the USA group of academics and clergy tried to persuade the Canadian government to accept them but failed The Captain managed to gain acceptance for some of the refugees in the United Kingdom, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands The refugees were eventually captured. Less than half of the former S.S. St. Louis passengers survived the war