The On-To-Ottawa Trek Trivia Quiz

Answer: Vancouver, British Columbia

Young single men worked in B.C. work camps for 20 cents a day. Even in those days that wasn't much. In April of 1935 they went on strike, left the camps and went to Vancouver. On June 3rd, 1935, they left for Ottawa to take their case to parliament.

Answer: Relief Camp Workers' Union

The unemployed men did not only complain about the low wages but also their isolation and working conditions. They bunked in tar paper shacks and were given surplus army food and clothing.

Answer: Work and wages

In those days there was no unemployment insurance, but people did not want to be idle anyway, they wanted "a fair day's pay for a fair day's work".

Answer: Boxcar

This used to be the favourite mode of travel for the unemployed both in Canada and the US. Their perennial enemies were the "railroad bulls" who did not take kindly to anybody trying to get a free ride. Many labour songs and novels such as "The Grapes of Wrath" were inspired by the desperate search of unemployed people for work.

Answer: 1500

They raised money and food from workers and farmers. Everywhere they stopped, thousands of people came out to greet them.

Answer: R. B. Bennett

He was also known as "Iron Heel" Bennett. In his personal life, he gave to charity as well as to individuals who asked him for help, but he is best known for ordering the RCMP to put an end to the trek.

Answer: Regina

A group of trekkers met with government ministers in Regina, who suggested a small delegation should continue to Ottawa. Eight strikers, including Arthur "Slim" Evans, one of the main organizers, went to meet with Bennett for negotiations but those were unsuccessful and ended in a heated argument.

Answer: The CPR (Canadian Pacific Railroad) was ordered to ban the trekkers

Without access to the railroad, the trekkers could not continue. The police would not let them disband unless they all went to a Saskatchewan relief camp. They finally negotiated a deal with the Premier of the province, Jimmy Gardiner, to be allowed to go back home or to a relief camp of their choice, but the police were ordered to attack the trekkers before they could leave.

After the fight was over, the trekkers were allowed to leave under the negotiated deal.

Answer: 1

One police officer was killed and hundreds of people injured when the "Mounties" used their billy clubs to break up a rally.

Answer: He lost the election

Although a Royal Commission found no fault with the actions of the police or the federal government, Bennett paid a political price for his refusal to give in to the workers' demands. In the aftermath of the On-To-Ottawa Trek, the relief camps were shut down, and the first beginnings of a welfare system, including unemployment insurance, were established.