VI. The World Wars and the Interwar Period, 1914–1945 > D. North America, 1915–1945 > 2. The Dominion of Canada > 1935, Jan
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  The Encyclopedia of World History.  2001.
 
 
1935, Jan
 
Prime Minister R. B. Bennett announced his Canadian version of the U.S. New Deal.  1
 
March 11
 
The Bank of Canada opened its doors, making effective the Bank of Canada Act of 1934. This privately owned but government-supervised institution served as a central bank.  2
Prime Minister Bennett early in the year proposed a platform of social legislation as the only means of escaping defeat in the face of growing popular dissatisfaction. Before adjourning on July 5, Parliament enacted a comprehensive series of laws designed to cope with the economic situation. Among them were: the Wheat Board Act, establishing a board to buy wheat at a fixed minimum price, the government to absorb the loss if the board failed to sell the wheat at a profit over the fixed minimum; an act providing for a Dominion trade and industry commission to administer the Combines Investigation Act, prohibiting monopolies operating to the detriment of the public; the Fair Wages and Hours of Labor Act, guaranteeing fair wages on public works and a 44-hour week; the Employment and Social Insurance Act, providing for contributory unemployment insurance for workers receiving less than $2,000 per year, with certain industries excepted, equal premiums to be paid by employers, employees, and the federal government; the Minimum Wage Act, authorizing the establishment of a federal agency to fix minimum wages in manufacturing and commerce; the Limitation of Hours of Work Act providing for an eight-hour day and a 48-hour week for industrial workers.  3
 
Aug. 14
 
Dissolution of Parliament and call for general election.  4
 
Aug. 22
 
Victory of the Social Credit Party in Alberta, under the leadership of William Aberhart, promising to every adult citizen of the province a regular income of $25 per month, funds for which were to be provided by a turnover tax of about 10 percent on domestic products. Death blow to Alberta's credit.  5
 
Oct. 14
 
General election. A Liberal landslide gave Liberals 171 seats, with eight seats held by independent Liberals who would ordinarily support the party.  6
 
Oct. 23
 
King prime minister for third time.  7
 
Nov. 15
 
Prime Minister King signed in Washington the reciprocal trade agreement with the U.S. The treaty granted Canada lower rates or other concessions on two-thirds of its exports by volume to the U.S. The U.S., in turn, received concessions on three-fourths of its dutiable exports to Canada.  8
 
Dec. 9–13
 
Conference of federal and provincial governments agreed unanimously that it was “imperative” to amend the Constitution, and that Canada should have the power to amend its own Constitution.  9
 
 
 
The Encyclopedia of World History, Sixth edition. Peter N. Stearns, general editor. Copyright © 2001 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Maps by Mary Reilly, copyright © 2001 by Houghton Mifflin Company. Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

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