Official Repression of Communism During World War II

During World War II the Canadian state, under the authority of the War Measures Act, exercised extraordinary powers of repression against political activity and expression considered "subversive" of the war effort. These powers included press censorship, internment without trial, and the outlawing of associations. From 1939 through 1941 a prime target of repression was Communism, with serious ramifications for trade union activities and political life in Canada. The reluctance to lessen this repression after the wartime alliance with the Soviet Union came into effect calls into question conventional wisdom concerning the strength of Popular l-'ront enthusiasm during this period.