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Home>> Issues and Challenges>> Labour and Politics |
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Labour and Politics | |||
What was happening in the mining communities of southern Alberta and southeastern British Columbia was the equivalent of the Yukon Gold Rush. There was no way in which housing, schools, hospitals (all the infrastructure of community living) could keep pace with the rapid growth. As well, conditions in the mines themselves were difficult at best and the competing interests of the mine owners (and government) were sometimes on a collision course with miners’ needs.
In addition, the Winnipeg General Strike, which began in May
1919, set off other strikes in support. Edmonton and Calgary
both saw strikes and, in August 1919, violence broke out in Drumheller. Strikebreakers, drawn from returning veterans,
attacked the miners and their homes. The miners, largely
immigrants, were OBU supporters. In response to the strikes and also demands of the owners to control production, the Alberta Coal Mining Industry Commission was struck and hearings took place over a two-and-one-half month period beginning October 6th, 1919, in Edmonton. Other hearing sites included Calgary, Drumheller, Lethbridge, Wayne, Edson and Blairmore. Of 12 recommendations, only three deal with issues pertinent to the welfare of miners. |
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