Working

Westinghouse Employee's Magazine

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. 

FLASH Eaton's Staff News

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.

White Rose News

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.

White Rose News.pdf (26.43 MB)

What if I lose my job?

The Second World War brought many changes to Canada, including the advent of a program of unemployment insurance. This booklet explained what was, at the time, a revolutionary system of social welfare.

Unemp Ins Eng.pdf (29.84 MB)

Halifax powers the war

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.

War Contract Scandals

This collection of War Contract Scandals, investigated by the Public Accounts Committee, was released by the Liberal party to demonstrate the government's misuse of thousands of dollars, on such wastes as horses unfit for service, overpriced drugs, poor-quality binoculars, submarines rejected as unfit by other governments, and defective Shield-Shovels. Also included are the results of investigations by the special Boot Committee.

The cost of war

With the realization that Canada would face unprecedented spending demands, greater even than those faced in the First World War, one bank provided a sober analysis of the problem of growing war debt as it looked early in the Second World War.

BNS War Debt.pdf (27.5 MB)

Feeding the cause of righteousness

In 1918, in recognition of the importance of food to the Allied war effort, the province of Prince Edward island proclaimed the week of 22 April to be "a week of Dedication and Preparation" for the coming planting season.

What's wrong with Canada's tax policy?

This address by G.S. Thorvaldson contrasted wartime, when taxation was a "patriotic duty," and peacetime, when it became "an economic and social problem." He made the case that big corporations stood to gain the most in both contexts.

ITPA.pdf (31.57 MB)

The printing business in wartime

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.