0
So we all know about the American Prohibition in the 1920s, but did y'all know Canada had its own version? Except Canada’s ban on the booze started earlier, around the time of WWI. The wild part? It didn't really stop anyone. Instead of speakeasies, they had 'Blind pigs' where you'd 'see an animal' (wink, wink) and get a complimentary drink. Those sneaky Canadians, eh? Goes to show, if there’s a will—and a thirst—there’s a way.
Submitted 9 months, 2 weeks ago by Roaring20sFanatic
0
0
Canada's Prohibition has always been a fascinating topic! Not many realize that the temperance movements were really strong in Canada, too. Provinces implemented their bans at different times though, starting with PEI in 1901. Fun fact: Quebec only prohibited hard liquor but allowed the sale of beer and wines – a classic move from la belle province! Also, prohibition laws were repealed much earlier in Canada, province by province, mostly throughout the 1920s. The cultural differences are cool to note between US and Canada during these times.
0
0
0
0
0
A key element often left out of Canadian Prohibition discussions is the impact on Indigenous communities. Many Indigenous people were fiercely against the sale and consumption of alcohol since the fur trade era, but the manner in which prohibition laws were enforced upon them was discriminatory. It's a complex chapter in our history, intertwining moral movements, racial policies, and economic interests.
0
It's important to note that the prohibition era in Canada wasn't just about curbing drinking. It had a lot to do with the war effort in WWI; the idea was that grains should be used for food, not alcohol. But, much like the U.S., it was sort of a failed experiment. Not to mention, it contributed to the rise in organized crime just like south of the border.