Did you know Canada enacted Prohibition, but it spanned from 1894 to as late as 1948?
Shocking. I know.
I didn’t even know Canada had prohibition until a rabbit trail in my novel research about the Titanic led me to Prohibition. Sadly, I don’t recall any of these facts from my high school Canadian history classes. Perhaps we touched on it, but perhaps not. Obviously it didn’t make an impression on me if we did.
What I discovered is that prohibition in Canada is convoluted. At best.
Time Line of Canadian Prohibition
In 1864, the Dunkin Act (The Canada Temperance Act) was passed, allowing any counties or municipalities to prohibit the retail sale of alcohol if supported by a regional majority vote. Some municipalities exercised this option.
Source: Toronto Public Library
In 1874, the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union was established in Canada, with the help of our American friend, Frances Willard. (The work of the WCTU is so fascinating – many of the social structures Canadians experience today directly resulted from their tireless efforts at the turn of the century.) Though the WCTU became more political south of the border, the Canadian organization remained rooted in their evangelical roots, motivated by those beliefs rather than by political gain (there will be more posts on this topic so stay tuned!).
In 1898 there was a federal vote, passing the Prohibition Act by 51%. Prime Minister Wilfrid Laurier decided not to enforce a nation-wide alcohol prohibition for various reasons.
In 1901, Prince Edward Island became the first province to enact prohibition, which lasted nearly a half century. They ended the province-wide prohibition in 1948. The act replaced all previous acts, preventing the sale and consumption of alcohol as a beverage. Alcohol was still available in the province but had to be purchased through a vendor. And then, for medicinal purposes only. The vendors were doctors, chemists and druggists (pharmacies).
In 1915, Canada implemented the War Measures Act which included nationwide Prohibition (minus Yukon and Quebec, which is another interesting rabbit trail to follow as to the reasons the Act didn’t include this territory, and province). Prohibition varied from province to province. The terms were different and provincial governments had the freedom to enforce them, however they saw fit. For example, in Ontario you could brew or distil alcohol and export it BUT you couldn’t sell it OR consume it in Ontario.
Canadians considered nationwide Prohibition a patriotic duty, while our boys were overseas fighting in the Great War. The least we could do at home was sacrifice our vices. And we needed wheat more for food than for quenching thirst.
1918 sees a ban on the interprovincial sale of alcohol.
Source: Worth Point
USA begins their Prohibition in 1919, which creates an interesting interaction between our countries. The Noble Experiment lasts until 1933.
Prohibition ends in various provinces over the next few years: 1923 Manitoba, 1924 Alberta and Saskatchewan, 1927 Ontario, 1948 PEI.
Other Interesting Sources to Read
I’ve given you a basic overview of Prohibition in Canada, but there are more dates and adjustments to the alcohol bans. Provinces eventually created overseeing bodies which resulted in the Liquor Control boards still in place today. When, why, and how these bodies came into existence vary a great deal.
For more fascinating reads and graphics on Prohibition in Canada:
- Ottawa City News talks about what it was like in the Nation’s capital during Prohibition
- Toronto Public Library graphic on arrests for drunkenness from the Constable’s handbook, 1916
- PEI’s complete history on alcohol ban
- TimeLine of Canada’s Prohibition
- Nova Scotia rules in place set during Prohibition under review 2017
Why All This Research?
All of this research led me to the subject of my current work in progress, a series based on the work of the Woman’s Christian Temperance Union in Canada. I’ll be sharing some more fun research facts I’ve uncovered, that likely won’t make it into the final draft of my upcoming historical novel. But that’s the fun of having a blog!
Stay tuned….