Canada's Greatest Achievement since Confederation

‘Thirdly, the creation of the Canadian Corps allowed for social change and unity to happen in Canada.  When the men went away for war in 1914, women were required to fill in the spaces in the workforce. They worked in munitions factories, ran the farms and raised money and supplies for the army. In addition, the Wartime Elections Act gave women who were serving in the armed forces, and women who had husbands, sons, brothers or fathers fighting in the war the federal vote. For the first time, women were being paid and they were given voices to their opinions. In addition, racial minorities, such as Aboriginal soldiers, Japanese Canadians, and Black Canadians, were allowed to join the Canadian Corps. In the battlefield, people from all over Canada were united unlike they had been since confederation. Even though these changes mostly reverted after the war, they set the ball rolling. The argument for franchise was in their favour because women had proved themselves through their sacrifices and competence in the World War, and on May 14, 1918, most women were given the vote. Later on in 1929, the Famous Five fought for women’s right to be classified as persons and the right to hold positions in the Senate.