Documents In the Classroom

The excerpts from this report written for the United States Government by the United States Army Engineering Division in 1946, reveal that during the Second World War, between 1942 and 1945, United States personnel, both military and civilian, poured into Northwest Canada to build the facilities needed to support the defence of the continent. The defence plan was launched due to the perceived threat of invasion by the Japanese. The projects around which this activity revolved, were known as the Northwest Staging Route, the Alaska Highway and the Canol Project.

The socio-economic side effects of these wartime projects were evident everywhere but were particularly felt in Edmonton, the North West's largest urban centre and a vital transportation hub for the region. The Americans arrived in the city in 1942 and stayed until 1946.(Boddington, Moir, 1995)

In 1943 one observer wrote that there were often so many requests for hotel accommodation in Edmonton that single cots were placed in banquet and meeting halls. One factor exacerbating the space problem was that many American civilian workers and some U.S. servicemen were soon joined by their families.(Boddington, Moir, 1995) Office space was also at a premium during this period. Every square foot left untouched by Canadian Military services was leased by the Americans.

In addition to the military, two large contracting companies made Edmonton their base of operations, Bechtel, Price and Callahan and the Kansas City Bridge Company. In total during 1943, fifty-nine office buildings and floors were leased by the Americans for the projects. The rental revenue helped the City of Edmonton collect the highest taxes in its history.(Boddington, Moir, 1995) In terms of specific construction and renovation projects, as of 1943 the U.S. Government had requested land for over 1200 projects in the Edmonton vicinity alone. The construction undertaken by the North West Service Command at the Edmonton Airport alone included quarters for 528 officers and 1,920 enlisted men, two hangers, 66,000 square yards of warm-up apron, 39,750 square feet of storage space, and miscellaneous other buildings. The Namao project, just outside of the city was equally impressive, and built entirely under the supervision of the U.S. Forces.(Boddington, Moir, 1995)

The future economic potential of the highway was certainly not lost among civic boosters, even in the north-western States. As early as 1942, a representative from the Great Falls Chamber of Commerce pointed out the potential post-war economic benefits of the highway in terms of tourism.(Boddington, Moir, 1995)

Of particular note was the fact that Edmonton was also the headquarters for Brigadier General Foster. Arriving in May of 1943, his offices were located at "Oliver House", 9937-103 Street. Foster was the Special Commissioner assigned to look after Canada's interests in the projects and to protect Canadian sovereignty in the North West. Although in the beginning communication was strained, it is apparent from Foster's reports that relations between U.S. personnel and Canadian authorities relaxed as time went by. Initially Foster viewed the attitude of the U.S. Army Engineers as "cavalier" with regard to various projects on Canadian territory. However, eventually he came to admire their enthusiasm and ability "get the job done".(Boddington, Moir, 181) This early scepticism about American intentions in the Northwest reflected Canada's "unofficial" attitude towards the projects. As Prime Minister MacKenzie King noted in his Diary:

It was not without some concern that… I viewed the Alaskan [sic] Highway and some other things growing out of the war, which was clear to my mind that America has had as her policy, a western hemisphere control which would mean hemispheric immunity, if possible, from future wars but [with] increasing control by the U.S.(Boddington, Moir, 1995)

For many individual Edmontonians, however, the appearance of the American military and civilian contractors meant the opportunity to earn better wages than had previously been possible. According to former employee Mary Waldal:

In early 1943 I was employed as a clerk-typist at the Royal Alexandra Hospital. My wages were $55 and $6 cost of living allowance per month. After hearing that the Americans were hiring, I went over and got a job with the Alaskan Division for $100 to $110 per month for the same job.

Mary's husband also found better pay working for the United States Army Air Force as an aircraft parts assembler at the Aircraft Repair Company on the northwest corner of Edmonton Airport. This facility was later to become known as Northwest Industries.(Boddington, Moir, 1995)
So many were leaving to work for the American military and civilian contracting companies, that concern was voiced in the Canadian House of Commons. It was pointed out that "alien" contractors were ignoring the existing wage rate imposed by the Canadian War Labour Board and that this was causing great distress to Canadian employers who could not compete either economically or legally.(Boddington, Moir, 1995)

Given the expediency required during wartime and the legendary abundance which seemed to accompany a visit by the United States military, advantage was sometimes taken by those contracted as suppliers. This attitude seemed to reflect an opinion voiced by some locals that American servicemen and civilian workers were pampered. They usually pointed to such "soft touches" as the abundance of food and recreational supplies, the more comfortable material and attractive cut of American uniforms, and the superior wages U.S. civilians earned for the same job as their Canadian counterparts.

Upon closer examination however, these sentiments may have had deeper roots. This was, after all the first "foreign army" on Canadian soil since Confederation, allied or not, and the event perhaps challenged some long-held perceptions Canadians had about Americans and about themselves. Another belief which may have been challenged was the notion that rugged Canadians were "masters of the north". Americans had done, with their overwhelming resources and technology, what many Canadians had not thought possible; cut a road to Alaska, linking the Canadian North to a source of supply previously only available, intermittently, by air. This achievement was balanced, of course, by substantial Canadian contributions to the construction of all of the projects. These attitudes did not, however, represent the majority of opinion. As Harold Morrison, a former Canadian employee of the Americans put it, "there was some friction . . . but it was all blown out of proportion".(Boddington, Moir, 1995)

On a social level, relations between Americans and Edmontonians seemed to be extremely cordial. Many remembered that the Americans went out of their way to maintain good relations with the residents of Edmonton. Shelah Davis, a former Edmontonian, whose husband Bob was a member of the U.S. Army Ordinance Corps, worked for the American Military Police during this period. She also remembered that relations between Edmontonians and American servicemen seemed surprisingly cordial, given the numbers involved. This was confirmed by Anne Coltman, whose father was a member of the Edmonton Police Force, and worked alongside the M.P's as part of a coordinated patrol system.(Boddington, Moir, 1995)

Americans did not find it difficult to mix socially with Edmontonians, both "officially" and "unofficially". Mrs. Davis recalled that the most popular night spots for Americans included the former "Danceland Ballroom" on Jasper Avenue between 96th and 97th streets, the "Barn" which was on 102nd street and Jasper, or any of the movie theatres that lined Jasper Avenue.(Boddington, Moir, 1995)

Amateur Athletics were another way in which Americans and Edmontonians could mingle. As well as baseball in the summer at Renfrew (now the site of Telus Field) ball park, a glance at the local sports pages reveals that the Edmonton Senior Basketball League listed the U.S. Engineers, Air Transport Civilians And Bechtel, Price Callahan along with local teams such as, Police, Varsity, Alcans, Latter Day Saints, and the Y.M.C.A. The Edmonton Athletic Club even boasted a former member of the Green Bay Packers, as their football coach. (Boddington, Moir, 1995)

When the Americans pulled out in 1946, and the Canadian government took control of the Alaska Highway, the city inherited many facilities built by the U.S. military during this period. Many of the buildings, some still in use, serve as a lasting reminder.

The first substantial foreign military presence on Canadian soil had far reaching effects, not only on political attitudes and those pertaining to issues of sovereignty, but on economic and social relations as well. The logistical facilities required by the United States created a much needed boost to Edmonton's economy and the massive influx of military and civilian personnel provided a vital increase in moral to an already war weary City. On a social level, United States servicemen and civilian workers quickly became part of the wartime fabric of the community. Edmontonians, for the most part, welcomed the American "invasion" with open arms, working side by side with the visitors and, in many cases, welcoming them into their homes.

The City of Edmonton's relationship with its "friendly army of occupation" was more than a passing phase in the construction of the Alaska Highway. Edmonton was not only the initial hub of transportation and supply for the highway, it was a vital link in the Northwest Staging Route which provided its impetus. Perhaps more importantly, the experience helped provide a bench mark for the future relationship between Canada and the United States.

Questions For Discussion

Issues to be dealt with regard to this topic might include a overall discussion of the nature of Canadian-American relations historically. This might be followed with an examination of what it means to be Canadian and how those attributes might be different for a citizen of the United States. This might lead into a discussion of the myths each country has about the other. Some comment could also be made about the historical context of the document vis a vis the Japanese and some of the racist attitudes engendered by the Second World War.

Activities For The Classroom

Students might be given the task of finding examples in various forms, written or through the recollections of relatives and local seniors, of how Canada's relationship with the United States has changed over time. Perhaps some examination of how the United States has historically viewed Canada might be undertaken. These projects would be an ideal opportunity for students to understand how Canada fits into the international milieu and how this may have changed over time.

References

Primary Sources

Manuscript Collections

CANADIAN SOCIAL STUDIES VOLUME 36, NUMBER 1, FALL 2001

Documents In the Classroom

CANADIAN SOCIAL STUDIES
VOLUME 36, NUMBER 1, FALL 2001