Canada has been known as having a stable democratic system since the time of its birth. What not many people know is that fascism has been weaving its way in and out of many Bills and acts in that time. Lest we forget that fascism is still a form of government.
The government of Maurice Duplessis, in Quebec, passed the “Padlock Law” in 1937. This law was based on protecting Quebec against communist propaganda. It prohibited any landlord from allowing their premises to be used by communists. All supposed propagandas material was confiscated and “communists” could be jailed without question. Oddly enough the word “communist” was never defined and was considered classified. This law was reviewed many times and in 1957 it was declared unconstitutional and was thrown out of court. In later years, it was found that the Duplessis government openly sympathized with Hitler during the war and maintained relations with the Vichy Regime in France.
Lately, there have been facts reported about a state-sponsored eugenics program in Alberta. Between the years of 1928 and 1972, approx. 3,000 supposed “mentally deficient” patients received forced sterilizations. The Alberta Eugenics Board ran this. Similar projects were held in BC and 15 of the United States.
In 1939, under the government of Prime Minister McKenzie King, the “Defense of Canada Regulations” were passed. This meant that at the start of WW2, the constitutional and democratic rights of Canadians were suspended and replaced by a virtual dictatorship of the federal cabinet.
When the War Measures Act was imposed supposed “communists” amounting to approx. 250 were placed in internment camps. This took place from 1940-1942. Canada was the only Allied force during the war that had maintained a ban on the communist party. Yet, in order to keep up the fight against Hitler the Canadian Armed Forces willingly let communist party members join.
In 1970, the Liberals re-imposed the War Measures Act to counteract the Front du Liberation du Quebec (FLQ). It was also put in place to intimidate and weaken the spectrum of left-wing forces in Quebec. When Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau was asked how far he was prepared to go in the suspension of civil liberties, he said, “Watch Me!”
