How Did The Great Depression Affect Women In Canada

Although women were slowly receiving rights equal to that of men, once the Great Depression struck the nation of Canada, the efforts were halted as it was a time of struggle for everyone. During the beginning of the Depression, the newly elected Prime Minister Bennett reassured citizens that his promises of getting Canada’s economy going again would happen through increasing trade, however, this promise would be in vain. This 10-year period would see a massive decrease in unemployment and pay for everyone, though, women were affected the most as they were the first to be removed from jobs and the first to have their pay cut. In 1931, women made up only 17% of the workforce which presented many issues such as poverty and a lack of a source of income. There were also many other issues that women would have to endure while the Depression was taking place such as health, educational, and general well-being issues as the majority of
Although during these times Prime Minister Bennett was visualized as a person with a demoralizing demeanor and little sympathy for the people, in private letters we can see that this wasn’t the case. His presidency is something that is recognized as his failure to meet his promises of stopping the Depression, however, for the people he had helped independently, it is something that could be recognized as life-changing. Examples such as his response to Elizabeth Ratray of sending $20 to help the people in her vicinity who have been through troubling times are just one of the hundreds of good deeds that Prime Minister Bennett has done. Overall, the Prime Minister has helped numerous people who have sent letters of their distressing situations, though, this shouldn’t be covering the fact that his efforts of properly addressing the economic circumstances of his nation went