On-to-Ottawa Trek, Booklet
This booklet discusses the dire economic period of the 1930s in Canada, and the critical social crisis that emerged with widespread unemployment. As a response, the government established remote Relief Camps where single, unemployed men were forced to work for meager wages and under strict, often harsh, conditions. This system fostered deep resentment among the workers.
This booklet was written by the On-to-Ottawa Historical Society. It recalls the history of the 50th and 75th anniversaries in 1985 and 2010. In 2018, the On to Ottawa Society merged with the BC Labour Heritage Centre Society who have committed to keeping the story of the Trek alive.
In April 1935, frustration boiled over as a general strike erupted in these camps, particularly in British Columbia. The striking workers organized themselves under the banner of the Relief Camp Workers’ Union, demanding livable wages and improved working conditions. A prominent leader and vocal advocate for these workers was Arthur Evans, who played a pivotal role in spearheading their movement.
After weeks of protest in Vancouver and unsuccessful negotiations, the workers decided to take their grievances directly to the federal government in Ottawa. This bold initiative became known as the On-to-Ottawa Trek, when thousands of “trekkers” embarked on an arduous journey across the country, largely by riding freight trains. While the On-to-Ottawa Trek gained considerable public sympathy and national attention, it was forcibly stopped by the Royal Canadian Mounted Police in Regina. The confrontation escalated into the “Regina Riot” on July 1, 1935, resulting in violence, injuries, deaths and the arrest of key leaders, including Arthur Evans.
Despite its suppression, the On-to-Ottawa Trek effectively highlighted the severe impact of the Great Depression on ordinary Canadians and the inadequacy of the government’s relief measures, ultimately contributing to a shift in public opinion and political landscape.