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History of Canada – 1867 to Present

6.3 Political Developments and the Rise of New Parties

4 min readLast Updated on August 6, 2024

The 1920s saw a shake-up in Canadian politics. New parties like the Progressives and United Farmers challenged the two-party system, while the labour movement gained ground. These changes reflected shifting social and economic priorities in the post-war era.

Labour unrest peaked with the Winnipeg General Strike of 1919, showcasing worker discontent. The King-Byng Affair of 1926 tested constitutional limits. These events reshaped Canada's political landscape, setting the stage for future developments.

Rise of New Political Parties

Progressive Party and United Farmers

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Top images from around the web for Progressive Party and United Farmers

Labour Movement and Political Representation

  • The Labour Movement in Canada gained momentum in the 1920s as workers organized to advocate for better working conditions and labor rights
  • Trade unions and labor organizations, such as the Trades and Labour Congress of Canada, played a key role in advancing workers' interests
  • Labour activists pushed for policies such as minimum wage laws, workplace safety regulations, and collective bargaining rights
  • The growing strength of the Labour Movement led to increased political representation, with Labour candidates running in elections and winning seats in provincial and federal legislatures
  • The rise of the Labour Movement challenged the established political order and brought working-class issues to the forefront of political discourse

Labour Unrest and Activism

One Big Union and Radical Labor Organizing

  • The One Big Union (OBU) was a radical labor organization founded in 1919 that sought to unite all workers into a single, powerful union
  • The OBU rejected the craft-based unionism of the American Federation of Labor and advocated for industrial unionism, where all workers in an industry would belong to the same union
  • The OBU's radical ideology and militant tactics, such as wildcat strikes and direct action, challenged the more moderate approach of established labor organizations
  • The OBU gained significant support among workers in Western Canada, particularly in industries such as mining, logging, and transportation
  • The OBU's influence declined in the 1920s due to government repression, internal divisions, and the rise of more moderate labor organizations

Winnipeg General Strike and Labor Conflict

  • The Winnipeg General Strike of 1919 was a major labor dispute that involved over 30,000 workers in the city of Winnipeg, Manitoba
  • The strike began as a protest against poor working conditions, low wages, and the lack of collective bargaining rights
  • The strike quickly spread beyond Winnipeg, with sympathy strikes and demonstrations occurring in other cities across Canada
  • The striking workers faced opposition from the government, employers, and some segments of the public who viewed the strike as a threat to social order
  • The strike was ultimately suppressed through a combination of police action, government intervention, and the use of replacement workers
  • The Winnipeg General Strike had a lasting impact on the labor movement in Canada, highlighting the tensions between workers and employers and the challenges of organizing large-scale labor actions

Constitutional Challenges

King-Byng Affair and Constitutional Crisis

  • The King-Byng Affair was a constitutional crisis that occurred in 1926 during the tenure of Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King
  • The crisis began when Governor General Lord Byng refused King's request to dissolve Parliament and call a new election after King's Liberal government lost a vote of confidence
  • Byng instead invited Conservative leader Arthur Meighen to form a government, which lasted only a few days before losing another confidence vote
  • The King-Byng Affair raised questions about the role of the Governor General and the extent of the Prime Minister's authority in a parliamentary system
  • The crisis was resolved when King's Liberals won a majority in the subsequent election, effectively asserting the principle of responsible government

Mackenzie King and Arthur Meighen

  • William Lyon Mackenzie King served as Prime Minister of Canada for a total of 22 years, making him the longest-serving Prime Minister in Canadian history
  • King was a skilled politician who navigated complex political challenges, including the King-Byng Affair and the Great Depression
  • Arthur Meighen was the leader of the Conservative Party and served briefly as Prime Minister in 1920-21 and again in 1926
  • Meighen was a strong advocate for Canadian nationalism and a proponent of tariff protection for Canadian industries
  • The political rivalry between King and Meighen shaped Canadian politics in the 1920s and highlighted the ideological differences between the Liberal and Conservative parties

Term 1 of 21

Agricultural subsidies
See definition

Agricultural subsidies are government financial assistance programs aimed at supporting farmers and promoting agricultural production. These subsidies can come in various forms, including direct payments, price supports, and tax breaks, and are designed to stabilize farm income, ensure food security, and encourage sustainable farming practices.

Key Terms to Review (21)

Term 1 of 21

Agricultural subsidies
See definition

Agricultural subsidies are government financial assistance programs aimed at supporting farmers and promoting agricultural production. These subsidies can come in various forms, including direct payments, price supports, and tax breaks, and are designed to stabilize farm income, ensure food security, and encourage sustainable farming practices.

© 2025 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.
AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.

Term 1 of 21

Agricultural subsidies
See definition

Agricultural subsidies are government financial assistance programs aimed at supporting farmers and promoting agricultural production. These subsidies can come in various forms, including direct payments, price supports, and tax breaks, and are designed to stabilize farm income, ensure food security, and encourage sustainable farming practices.



© 2025 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.
AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.

© 2025 Fiveable Inc. All rights reserved.
AP® and SAT® are trademarks registered by the College Board, which is not affiliated with, and does not endorse this website.