ON THIS DAY

February 26, 1942 – National Defence Minister J.L. Ralston rejects the government’s suggestion that the army be enlisted to uproot and relocate Japanesecanadians from B.C. Instead he believed military personnel should remain focused on home defence. Under the War Measures Act, approximately 22,000 Japanese-canadians had their property seized, were moved to isolated areas, and had their activities severely restricted.