FREE! Click here to Join FunTrivia. Thousands of games, quizzes, and lots more!

The On-To-Ottawa Trek Trivia Quiz

2005 marks the 70th anniversary of this trek of unemployed people during the Great Depression. In 2006, the last leader of the trek, Robert "Doc" Savage, has passed away. See how much you know about this important historical event.

A multiple-choice quiz by Catamount. Estimated time: 4 mins.

Author
Catamount

Time
4 mins

Type
Multiple Choice

Quiz #
207,747

Updated
Dec 03 21

# Qns
10

Difficulty
Tough

Avg Score
6 / 10

Plays
900

Awards
Top 35% Quiz

One at a Time - Single Page - Timed Game

Question 1 of 10

1. Where did the On-To-Ottawa Trek originate? Hint

Toronto, Ontario

Placenta, Newfoundland

Quebec City, Quebec

Vancouver, British Columbia

NEXT>

Question 2 of 10

2. What was the name of the union that organized the work camps? Hint

Unemployed Men's Fightback Association

Better Work, Better Wages

Loggers' Union

Relief Camp Workers' Union

NEXT>

Question 3 of 10

3. What was the work camp workers' slogan? Hint

Decent food

We want it all

Work and wages

Better mattresses

NEXT>

Question 4 of 10

4. How did most of the On-To-Ottawa trekkers travel? Hint

Boxcar

Greyhound bus

Bicycle

Dogsled

NEXT>

Question 5 of 10

5. How many trekkers left Vancouver for Ottawa? Hint

160

1500

15,000

NEXT>

Question 6 of 10

6. Who was Prime Minister of Canada in 1935? Hint

J.A. Macdonald

R. B. Bennett

J.G. Diefenbaker

P.E. Trudeau

NEXT>

Question 7 of 10

7. In what city did the On-To-Ottawa Trek come to an end? Hint

Winnipeg

Ottawa

Regina

Thunderbay

NEXT>

Question 8 of 10

8. What measure was implemented to stop the trek? Hint

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

Farmers were ordered to not let the trekkers camp in their fields

Store owners were forbidden to sell food to the trekkers

The trekkers were offered money and land if they went home

NEXT>

Question 9 of 10

9. How many people were killed in the riot that ended the trek? Hint

NEXT>

Question 10 of 10

10. What happened to the Prime Minister in the 1935 federal election? Hint

He won a majority government

He lost the election

He won a minority government

He was assassinated

(Optional) Create a Free FunTrivia ID to save the points you are about to earn:

Select a User ID:

Choose a Password:

Your Email:

Quiz Answer Key and Fun Facts

1. Where did the On-To-Ottawa Trek originate?

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.

2. What was the name of the union that organized the work camps?

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.

3. What was the work camp workers' slogan?

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".

4. How did most of the On-To-Ottawa trekkers travel?

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.

5. How many trekkers left Vancouver for Ottawa?

Answer: 1500

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

6. Who was Prime Minister of Canada in 1935?

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.

7. In what city did the On-To-Ottawa Trek come to an end?

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.

8. What measure was implemented to stop the trek?

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.

9. How many people were killed in the riot that ended the trek?

Answer: 1

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

10. What happened to the Prime Minister in the 1935 federal election?

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.

Source: Author Catamount

This quiz was reviewed by FunTrivia editor bloomsby before going online.
Any errors found in FunTrivia content are routinely corrected through our feedback system.