In the early 20th century, Edmonton was a city on the rise, but by 1914, the economic tide had turned sharply. The completion of massive infrastructure projects—most notably the railways—combined with the onset of the First World War, triggered a recession and skyrocketing unemployment. According to edmonton-yes.com, these economic pressures became the primary catalyst for a burgeoning labour movement and deepening social unrest across the region.
Economic Crisis and the Rise of Unemployment in Edmonton
Against a backdrop of financial hardship, local unions and workers’ organizations began to mobilize. During this period, radical ideas championed by groups such as the Industrial Workers of the World (IWW) and the Socialist Party of Canada (SPC) began to strike a chord with the city’s weary workforce.
Rising inflation, a declining standard of living, and the grim realities of the war effort fueled widespread public frustration. By 1918, Canada was gripped by a wave of strikes sparked by deteriorating working conditions and systemic social inequality. Edmonton was no exception, with local walkouts mirroring the national trend. In a show of solidarity, the Edmonton & District Labour Council (ETLC) voted to hold a general strike to support both postal workers and transit employees in Calgary. Activists quickly realized that the threat of a mass walkout was a powerful bargaining chip. Consequently, the ETLC backed a regional conference in March 1919 to address the specific grievances of Western workers and map out a strategy for the post-war era.
Unions, Socialists, and the OBU: The Evolution of Canada’s Labour Movement
Edmonton union delegates attended the conference and were instrumental in expanding its initial scope. Pushing for a shift toward revolutionary socialism, they voted to break away from international craft unions to form the One Big Union (OBU)—a movement dedicated to uniting workers across all industries into a single, formidable organization. At the time, while most Western Canadian miners embraced the OBU, the rest of the labour movement remained deeply divided. Those who committed to the OBU moved forward with plans for a general strike on June 1, with a six-hour workday as their primary demand.
However, the movement faced internal friction; some ETLC members viewed the OBU as an existential threat. At an April meeting, they narrowly voted 20 to 19 to expel OBU sympathizers from their ranks. Although many activists were ousted, they maintained control over their individual unions. Simultaneously, anti-communist sentiment surged in Edmonton. The local press fanned the flames, reporting on a Socialist Party of Canada sympathizer being attacked at the University of Alberta. Meanwhile, a gathering of Ukrainian socialists advocating for their interned comrades was branded as treasonous, and the Royal North-West Mounted Police (RNWMP) conducted a high-profile raid on the SPC headquarters.
The 1919 General Strike: Turmoil in the Streets of Edmonton
On May 26 at 11:00 a.m., Edmonton’s general strike officially began. Organizers acted swiftly, forming subcommittees to handle critical logistics, including:
- Maintaining direct communication with strikers in Winnipeg.
- Managing propaganda and public messaging.
- Ensuring workplace safety and order.
The Royal North-West Mounted Police were on high alert, training their horses to remain calm under gunfire and ensuring their weaponry was ready. When some local police officers deserted their posts to join the strikers, the city’s elite responded by forming a “Citizens’ Committee” to maintain control. Interestingly, the Edmonton Free Press, which had ties to the ETLC, urged its readers to remain calm and return to their jobs.
Despite the pushback, the strike committee managed to exert control over the city’s power supply, telegraph systems, and railways. Water pressure was intentionally reduced, leaving only hospitals and the ground floors of buildings with service. By late May, the strike had expanded to include taxi drivers, carpenters, bricklayers, plumbers, painters, railway workers, and delivery couriers. Furthermore, nearly all miners and railway employees across Alberta joined the walkout, as thousands left their posts in a collective demand for justice.
The movement reached a tragic turning point with “Bloody Saturday” in Winnipeg, where a violent crackdown on protesters resulted in casualties. These events sent a shockwave through the country, demoralizing the movement. Shortly thereafter, the strike in Edmonton began to lose momentum and eventually tapered off. Nevertheless, it left an indelible mark on Canadian history, proving the power of organized labour and the urgent need for workplace reform.
Ultimately, the events of 1914–1919 represented a pivotal chapter in the evolution of Canadian labour relations. They paved the way for modern worker protections, stronger unions, and the development of national social policy. This era proved that even in the face of economic crisis and government pressure, workers could unite to demand change, forever altering the trajectory of the country.