February 10: Port Arthur
F. H. Keefer (who donated his house to be used as a convalescent home) has offered his help in procuring a few of Canada’s war trophies for Port Arthur and has been in contact with the Militia Department; the Council thanks him.
February 10: Port Arthur
The Council says there have been a number of incidents where foreign men living in Canada are settling their disputes with deadly weapons. The Council wishes to petition the Federal Government to pass Legislation that all aliens be banned from owning firearms and deadly weapons. As we saw in January, there was still a great deal of anti-enemy alien sentiment in Canada at this time (see Enemy Aliens).
Full Transcription:
That in view of the number of recent cases in which deadly weapons have been used as a means of settling disputes in which men of foreign birth were involved. That this Council petition the Dominion Government to pass Legislation providing that no alien be permitted to have in his possession any firearm or other deadly weapon, and that a copy of this resolution be forwarded to Hon. Hugh Guthrie, M.P. Solicitor-General, asking for his support.
February 10: Port Arthur
Report Number 2 of the Finance Committee states that the Tax Collector should now be collecting land tax from soldiers up until January 1919, but should not be collecting interest incurred while they were overseas. The City decided to forgive the interest incurred by soldiers while on active duty since they were not working and some did not have family members who could pay the interest. Many of the soldiers’ properties were put on the Tax Sale List (when a person cannot or does not pay their taxes, the property is repossessed and sold by the government); however, the City agreed not to sell their properties because they were in active duty.
February 10: Port Arthur
Report Number 2 of the Finance Committee suggests to the Port Arthur City Council to plan a joint meeting with the Soldiers’ Aid Society, Great War Veterans’ Association, and Board of Trade to organize the arrival of the 52nd Battalion once they return home. See 52nd Battalion C. E. F Part One: Formation.
February 10: Port Arthur
“Report Number 2 of the Finance Committee”: The Soldiers’ Aid Commission is being granted $500 ($6,539.22 in today’s dollars) taken from their 1919 grant.
February 11: Fort William
A letter is received from G. Oliphant & Co. offering to make inscriptions and honour rolls in honour of returned soldiers. In the First World War, Canada experienced a publishing boom of memorial volumes known as Honour Rolls (or Rolls of Honour) that sought to preserve the names and faces of those who died overseas (See First World War Honour Rolls).
February 11: Fort William
Officers commanding the 52nd Battalion in France send two letters to the Council regarding captured German machine guns that they would send to Fort William as a gift of thanks. The guns were to be used as a memorial for fallen soldiers. Council sends their thanks to the Officers.
Full Transcript:
Two Letters were received from Officers Commanding the 52nd Batt’n in France stating that captured German Machine Guns were being sent to Fort William as a memorial of those who had fallen as a result of the war and who were members of the 52nd Batt’n and also for kindness received at the hands of citizens at the Head of the Lakes by members of this regiment.
Moved by Alderman Moors-O’Brien:-
That the thanks of this Council be extended to the officers and men of the 52nd Batt’n for their kind consideration in sending to this city several captured German Guns, and they be further advised that this Council will deem it an honor to have these guns, that they will be suitably inscribed, placed in conspicuous parts of the city and cared for.
February 11: Fort William
Reverend W. H. Trickett, rector of St Paul’s Anglican Church, has invited City Council to a memorial service for the fallen soldiers of the District to be held February 16th. The Council accepts the invitation.
February 13: Port Arthur
A special meeting is held to discuss the reception of the 52nd Battalion. A special committee is organized to meet with the Board of Trade to discuss division of labour; the Council announces it will pay the expenses incurred by the return of the Battalion; another special committee of twelve people is appointed to arrange entertainment for the return; and the Council asks the Minister of Militia if the 52nd Battalion is returning as a unit and when they will arrive in Port Arthur.
February 17: Port Arthur
The Soldiers’ Aid Commission is asking for a 1 (one) mill rate (i.e. a percentage or amount of taxes) for patriotic purposes. The request is referred to the Finance Committee.
February 17: Port Arthur
Sir Wilfrid Laurier, 7th Prime Minister of Canada (1896-1911), died February 17th, 1919 as a result of a stroke. The City of Port Arthur will lower the flag at Whalen Building (where the City Offices are housed) to half mast in his honour on February 18th.
February 24: Port Arthur
A cheque for $400 ($5,231.37 in today’s dollars) is issued to the Red Shield Campaign (See the Salvation Army).
February 24: Port Arthur
The Port Arthur Council passes a resolution that states that the Federal Government is the only body which can accurately provide for the returned soldiers. At this point in time, welfare and care of the poor was a municipal responsibility. Council is making it clear that they feel the financial responsibility of returned soldiers who may be unemployed or unemployable, rests with the Federal Government, and should not be foisted on the municipalities. They believe the Government should give men who wish to be discharged an adequate living until they can find work and return to civil life. This resolution was originally sent from the City of Calgary (Fort William received the same, see below) and Port Arthur Council is endorsing it.
Full Transcription:
Whereas in the opinion of this Council the responsibility for the welfare of the returned soldier rests with the people of Canada as they are represented through the Federal Government.
And Whereas the Dominion Government is the only body having the power to equally distribute this responsibility.
And Whereas it is their duty to take care of our returned men.
Therefore be it resolved that a regulated system of discharge be inaugurated whereby those wishing discharge can receive it and an adequate living will be provided for others until suitable means can be provided whereby theses men will be brought back into civil life and a copy of this resolution be forwarded to all City Councils in the Dominion for their endorsement, and further that this be sent to the Prime Minister.
February 24: Port Arthur
The Council requests the City Clerk to write to the Military Department again requesting a reply to their earlier letter regarding the legality of forgiving the taxes incurred on Keefer Home while it was used as a Convalescent Home for the military (see January 1919).
February 25: Fort William
The Council receives a letter from the City Clerk of Calgary regarding a petition to the Federal Government to take full responsibility for the discharge and care of returned soldiers. The letter is referred to Major B. A. Cousins, Fort William’s representative from the Federal Dept. of Soldiers Civil Re-establishment. Port Arthur received the same letter (see February 24th above).
World War One Thunder Bay Centennial Project 