Originally Posted to Facebook: March 30, 2020

The National Resources Mobilization Act,1940 - Registration Cards and Rationing

Here are William and Lillian's registration cards which they were legally obliged to produce to any enquiring authorities during the war period.

The registration process took place during the month of August 1940 for anyone over the age of 16 and not already serving in the military. Announcements were placed in Post Offices across the country outlining the locations of schools, libraries and other public buildings where all Canadians, aliens, and British subjects were compelled to appear and submit to an interview by the Deputy Registrars. These sites were open from 8am to 10pm each day in order to process millions of residents.

The data was used to establish the level of available human resources to be placed at the disposal of King George to support the war effort. Employable men and women were put to work in high priority industries like farming and in munition factories. Under this Act, unemployment longer than 7 days was illegal.

Most notably these registration cards were the basis for which rationing began in Canada by the end of 1941. Women, in particular, enthusiastically responded by creating and an endless number of wartime ration-stretching recipes. The culture of thrift and austerity can still be seen in our parent's generation. It should be said that our grandparents experienced a truly national experience during this period which was looked upon as a positive and engaging time when many more profound sacrifices were being made on the front lines.

These are scanned copies of the original documents which came from the Nelson St. home.