Timeline: June 1915

June 7: Port Arthur:

J.C. Milne contacted the Port Arthur City Council regarding the field kitchen that had been purchased by Port Arthur and Fort William in May.

June 8: Fort William:

A similar letter was sent to Fort William City Council by A.H. Smith, in Winnipeg. The text of these letters was not saved by the City Councils.

June 8: Fort William:

John James Carrick, M.P. for the Thunder Bay and Rainy River riding, had been given the honourary rank of Lt. Col. and was stationed at Canadian headquarters, taking him away from his parliamentary role.  This region had been without representation in Parliament for months. The two City Councils had taken to writing to cabinet ministers based in Winnipeg and Nipissing to argue for the Lakehead’s needs; here, they are requesting that a senator be appointed to shoulder some of that responsibility.

“That whereas through the exigencies of war this vast district is without representation at Ottawa, therefore we would respectfully ask the Board of Trade, Conservative and Liberal Associations to meet this Council to ascertain what steps should be taken regarding senatorial representation from the district.”

June 15: Fort William:

A letter received from the Ontario Commission of Unemployment was referred to the Special Committee on Aliens and the Unemployed.

June 15: Fort William:

That same night, a report from the committee was presented, but that report was referred back to the committee for “further consideration.” The committee was asked to investigate unemployment in Fort William, and make recommendations for what Council (and other levels of government) should do.

These two issues are not as separate as they may seem to modern readers: “enemy aliens” were considered a danger to the country especially if unemployed, as they were then presumed to lack ties to the community. They could be interned and forced to work. Meanwhile, the families of the unemployed were living in poverty and needed social assistance, regardless of whether or not they might be considered a security risk.

June 22: Fort William:

Just a week later, no report was yet provided. Fort William City Council passes a motion that insists on a report from the Committee, and plans a special meeting on June 25 to address the issue.

June 25: Fort William:

At that special meeting, the Committee’s report was read. Fort William City Council responds:

“That the report of the Special Committee on Alien Situation be adopted, and that the Mayor write the Railway Commission, the Grain Commission, and the Ontario Commission on Unemployment forwarding copies of resolution, with any other data, and that the Mayor and Mr. J.T. Horne be a mission to take up this question with the Governments of the Dominion and the Province and such other bodies or persons in Canada as they may deem advisable, without a view of having the provisions of the report carried into effect, and that they be empowered to carry on negotiations towards the solution of the Alien Enemy Situation.

“That Port Arthur Council be asked to co-operate with this Council in connection with the Alien Situation, and that the Mayor write Mayor Mooney, asking for a resolution to the Dominion Government on the question.”

June 29: Port Arthur:

That letter regarding Alien Enemies was received by Port Arthur City Council, but put on hold for later consideration.

June 29: Port Arthur:

Port Arthur City Council was already planning its own action to discuss potential internment of alien enemies. Mayor Mooney would attempt to meet with M.P. Carrick to discuss the Federal government’s plans.