The Government of Canada Recognizes the National Historic Importance of the Nova Scotia Coal Strikes of 1922 to 1925
News Release
October 13, 2017 Glace Bay, Nova Scotia Parks Canada Agency
Canada’s national parks, historic sites and marine conservation areas enable Canadians to experience their rich and varied history in a special way. To celebrate the 150th anniversary of Confederation in 2017, the Government of Canada invites Canadians to experience nature and learn more about our history.
Rodger Cuzner, Member of Parliament for Cape Breton–Canso, and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour, on behalf of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible for Parks Canada, Catherine McKenna, today unveiled a plaque commemorating the importance of the Nova Scotia Coal Strikes of 1922 to 1925 as an event of national historic significance. A special ceremony was held in Glace Bay with members of the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada, past union leaders, and representatives from the Cape Breton Miners’ Museum.
The Government of Canada is committed to connecting Canadians to the significant people, places, and events that contributed to our country’s diverse heritage. The Nova Scotia coal strikes of 1922 to 1925 were a remarkable episode in Canada’s labour history. During four successive years of strikes, Cape Breton coal miners resisted wage reductions by the British Empire Steel Corporation (BESCO) by drawing on their shared work, ethnic and community bonds. They sought to defend their collective bargaining rights, despite poor living conditions and pressure from company police and military. The strikes brought national attention to Cape Breton and forced the federal and provincial governments to consider more conciliatory labour policies, marking a turning point in Canadian labour relations.
This year also marks the centennial of national historic sites and Parks Canada invites Canadians to discover and be inspired by the stories of the people, places and events that shaped the Canada of today. Take advantage of free admission to national historic sites in 2017, and discover truly Canadian places and stories with Parks Canada.
Quotes
“The Government of Canada is pleased to commemorate the national historic significance of the Nova Scotia Coal Strikes of 1922 to 1925. This notable moment in working-class mobilization also contributed to a strong sense of shared identity in the mining communities of Cape Breton and Nova Scotia. As we celebrate the 150th anniversary of Confederation, I encourage all Canadians to take this opportunity to learn more about this influential event and its important role in our country's history.”
Rodger Cuzner,
Member of Parliament for Cape Breton–Canso and Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Employment, Workforce Development and Labour
“The national historic significance of the Nova Scotia Coal Strikes of 1922 to 1925 highlights the region’s long and rich history of coal mining. Cape Breton is home to profound stories of miners and their families, and the resource that helped build a nation. The coal strikes are an example of how the perseverance of the working class miners forever changed Canadian labour relations.”
Mary Pat Mombourquette,
Executive Director Cape Breton Miners’ Museum
Quick Facts
-
The Nova Scotia coal strikes of the early 1920s were remarkable for the tenacity of the miners who, in spite of desperate living conditions and sustained opposition from the corporation and the state, drew on the unity of the mining communities founded in shared work, ethnic and family backgrounds to “stand the gaff” through four years of conflict.
-
By successfully defending itself against BESCO, the United Mine Workers of America was one of the most influential industrial unions in early 20th century Canada.
-
Created in 1919, the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada advises the Minister of Environment and Climate Change regarding the national historic significance of places, people and events that have marked Canada’s history.
Related Products
Associated Links
Contacts
Coady Slaunwhite
Public Relations and Communications Officer
Cape Breton Field Unit
Parks Canada
902-217-0861
Coady.Slaunwhite@pc.gc.ca
Media Relations
Parks Canada Agency
855-862-1812
pc.media@pc.gc.ca