A window into the Canadian experience during the world wars
Wage and Price Controls
- Any -World War IWorld War II
Vehicle Data Book
Used as a reference handbook for the Canadian Army Overseas, this vehicle data booklet includes descriptions, photographs, and technical details of every vehicle used by the Canadian Army during the Second World War. A summary on page three explains how it would be useful to "those engaged in the supply, maintenance, and operational handling of military vehicles."
View PDF: Vehicle Data Book Pt1.pdf, Vehicle Data Book Pt2.pdf
Pay your premium!
This Winnipeg insurance company used an image of an army jeep to remind people to pay their premiums.
Keeping an eye on prices
The ceiling price - the maximum price that could be charged for any good purchased - was a key element of Canada's wartime strategy to control inflation, and the government relied on shoppers to help enforce price ceilings.
To the women of Canada
Price controls constituted a major step for Canada's government of the Second World War, so Donald Gordon, the man in charge of implementing them, took every opportunity to explain the process to community groups.
View PDF: Donald Gordon 15 Dec 41.pdf
Advertising with the Admiral
Admiral Percy Nelles was Canada's Chief of Naval Staff during the Second World War - but one wonders if he gave his permission for his image to be used on this advertisement from a New Brunswick dry goods store.
"Guardians of our hearths"
Speaking to the women who controlled four out of every five dollars spent in Canada, Charlotte Whitton explained inflation, price controls, and the power that women could exercise to help with the war.
View PDF: To the homes of Canada.pdf
The war so far ...
Smart-Woods was one of Canada's biggest manufacturers of bags, cloth, canvas, and clothing, but its products were barely mentioned in this advertising magazine, which offered a statistical compendium of the nations involved in the First World War.
View PDF: Sacklopedia.pdf
Useful gifts for soldier boys
It was up to Canadians at home to remember their loved ones overseas with the odd gift - bought, of course, from a local retailer.
This multilingual decal was made in 1943, likely to affix to Canadian war materiel, perhaps vehicles, being exported.
Buy Canadian!
During the Second World War, the federal government aggressively promoted a "buy Canadian" strategy, to prevent an outflow of currency to pay for foreign-made goods.
Your Journey through the Canadian Rockies: Westbound
During the war, Canada marketed itself to American tourists to try to attract American money to Canada. Come experience the rugged wilderness of Canada's Rockies, serviced by Canadian Pacific Rail, including stops at hotels, resorts, and attractions along the way!
View PDF: Your Journey through the Canadian Rockies Westbound 1944.pdf
Imperial Oil Review, Summer 1944
Imperial Oil published this magazine periodically to inform shareholders and employees about the petroleum industry in Canada, including Imperial Oil's role in Canada's war effort.
View PDF: The Imperial Oil Review Summer 1944.pdf
How to See Paris
This guidebook describes the monuments, architecture, and other tourist attractions of interest to Allied soldiers in Paris, after its liberation in WWII.
View PDF: How to see Paris .pdf
Guide to London for Allied Visitors
This guidebook to London describes everything that London has to offer to allied visitors, even in the middle of the war, from museums, to underground railways, to theatres.
View PDF: Guide to London for Allied Visitors.pdf
Gasoline Licence and Ration Coupon Book
Gasoline use in Canada was limited during the war through the use of ration coupon books like this one.
View PDF: Gasoline Licence and Ration Coupon Book (A-1) 1942.pdf
Because so much of the fighting took place in regions that were unfamiliar to Canadians, war maps were enormously popular, for they simplified complicated events and allowed civilians to make sense of news coming from the war fronts.
The war from all sides
British press baron Lord Northcliffe published this contemporary history of the Great War, with proceeds going to the British Red Cross Society and the Order of St John.
Go To It!
This Second World War advertising premium invoked British cabinet minister Herbert Morrison in urging Canadians to buy War Savings Certificates.
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Wartime Canada is constantly expanding its collections, and would be grateful for the donation or loan of any materials that can be scanned and added to the website. Please feel free to contact either of the project co-directors, Jonathan F. Vance or Graham Broad.
We are always interested in comments, suggestions, and corrections – we can be reached at wartimecanada@gmail.com.