Home From the Battle
After the war, the government passed the Veterans Charter, which ensured those who had served in the military were chosen first for government jobs. Many veterans — former military people — received farmland, education or a loan to start a business. But for tens of thousands of veterans, life back home was not easy. Many couldn’t get rid of their terrible memories, while others had to live with missing arms or legs, or serious burns they suffered in the war. Not all veterans were treated well. Those who had served in the Merchant Navy were not considered full veterans by the government until 2000. And while people of all skin colours, religions and background had worked and fought side by side, back in Canada, racist attitudes returned. More than 4,000 First Nations, Métis and Inuit people served in the war but couldn’t even vote in their home country. Very few were given the benefits they should have received under the Veterans Charter.