Company Newsletters

The Sarnia Refiner was the corporate magazine of the Imperial Oil Limited plant in Sarnia, Ontario. Throughout the Second World War, Sarnia was a significant hub of energy production and chemical manufacturing, both of which were essential in efforts to sustain both war efforts and the domestic economy. 

This corporate publication by Westinghouse for its employees mentioned the importance to buy war bonds to its staff. It also decided to highlight the increased role of women in the company, and society as a whole, during war time. 

The Eaton name probably rings familiar to many Canadians today. It did so even more during the middle of the twentieth century. At the time of the publication of this staff newsletter, Eaton's was Canada's largest department store. This particular edition of the staff news showcased the company's effort to support the 8th Victory Loan. In addition to this, the newsletter also features a two-page article on the ladies of the Eaton Employees' War Auxiliaries and their work overseas.

The Canadian Oil Companies Ltd. published their second volume of the 'White Rose News', the business's newsletter for the employees of the company. This number from Spring 1941 focuses on what the Canadian Oil Companies Ltd can do to help in the Canadian war effort. This preoccupation was common among big and small businesses: everyone was called on to help achieve victory, whether through enlistment and active service, or through the maintenance of a strong wartime economy spearheaded by profitable economic activities.

Prevented from doing so during the Second World War because of the need for secrecy, Nova Scotia Light and Power later told its war story in a series of radio broadcasts, and then condensed the broadcasts into a fully illustrated souvenir magazine in 1946.

This souvenir publication by a Winnipeg printing and lithographing business honoured employees who had volunteered for military service and detailed the company's wartime work.

This government publication featured success stories of Manitoba manufacturing, including Winnipeg's MacDonald Brothers Aircraft Limited, which assembled Avro Anson twin-engined aircraft to be used in the British Commonwealth Air Training Plan.

This bi-monthly magazine included features on air raid precautions in telephone exchanges, operators training in rifle skills, employees in uniform, and fund-raising and charitable activities.

The monthly magazine of Manitoba's government-run radio network was always full of wartime material: letters from staff members on active service, stories of fund-raising efforts, features on the BBC's reportage from the front, the work of the Canadian Red Cross and other voluntary organizations, and human interest stories covering different aspects of the war effort.

The monthly newsletter carried a wide range of advice and suggestions: slip-covering furniture rather than purchasing new; maintaining kitchen appliances that could not be replaced; the importance of walking in a time of gasoline rationing; recipes for such things as pickled walnuts and mint tinkle; canning fruits and vegetables; and stretching coffee and tea rations.