1896 - First films shown in Canada

My goodness today I have watched the first film shown in Canada! What a spectacle! I have never seen anything like it before, how they got the people on the screen I will never know. I was lucky enough to have a seat in the back so I could enjoy the movie and the viewers reactions. As soon as the lights went down I could almost feel the audiences anxiety and growing excitement. The scene opened up to the conductor being held at gun point I was expecting the screams that followed but I was not expecting that many hecklers! Shouts of devils work, magicians and black magic rung throughout the hall, women grabbed their husbands arms in fear and men tried not to show the obvious confusion and fear in their eyes. I on the other hand was absolutely amazed, the makers of this movie had made a breakthrough that should be congratulated not discouraged. After a couple of minutes the audience calmed down but that sense of nervouse fear had never left the room. The next waves of screams came when the train appeared to be coming straght at us! This time workers were sent to escort the ones who where hysterical which ended up being quite a few people. In the end I was one of the only women left in the room but that suited me quite fine. At the end of the day I quite enjoyed the movie and am excitedly looking forward to future presentations.

1908 - Anne of Green Gables is published

Anne of Green Gables, what a wonderful book! What is the best part you may ask. Well the author is the best part. The author is actually a female named Lucy Maud Montgomery! Not many people are aware that the writer is a female but with society today maybe that is best. The book is about an orphan girl name Anne Shirley that is taken in by a an elderly brother and sister named Marilla Cuthbert and Matthew Cuthbert. Anne is an energetic, imaginative, and caring girl her perspective on life is refreshing she brings a unique joy to kind old Mathew. Marilla on the other hand is stricter and harder to please and it does not help that Ann is a bit of a trouble maker making it hard for Marilla to accept her much less tolerate her. The pair actually requested a boy at first because Mathew is getting older and cannot do much of the field work on his own anymore. They are not quite sure what to do, so they consider their options. Marilla thinks it would be best to set the mistake straight and get the boy they requested which means returining Ann to that dreadful orphanage because they will not support two children. Mathew on the other hand would love for Ann to stay because she always manages to keep a smile on his face. Ann is desperately trying to please Marilla because she could not bear to move to that orphanage. What will end up happening? Will they keep Ann? Will Marilla ever accept her? Read the book to find out. This book was humourous, sad, and taught me alot about acceptance and the need to recieve it. The author's unique idea made the book worthwhile! L.M. Montgomery congratulations on a job well done!

1904 - Head tax on Chinese raised to $500

The head tax on Chinese was raised to $500! The injustice of it all leaves me speechless. I know more than enough lawyers that would gladly speak out but since times are tough and everyone is watching their own skin it is almost impossible. As much as I hate to admit it, it was a smart way to make sure Chinese people couldn't come to Canada but what I find so unfair is that the Chinese are the only ones being targeted, it's just not right. I didn't have much to write I just wanted to infrom the people of what was going on, most of you will not care but to those of you who do I shall keep you posted.

1891 - Children's Aid Society established by the City of Toronto

This blog is dedicated to J.J. Kelso:

Well done J.J. Kelso! You truly are the children's friend! Your service to the children is admirable. Not many people have ever even cared to do what you have done. In a society like ours children are often forgotten and fall through the cracks, the only time they are remembered is when there is something to be worked on because they are seen as an extra pair of hands. I understand that you yourself have had a hard life, living in poverty and working in a bookstore for only 1 dollar a week. Not many people can make something good out of a bad situation but you have managed to do so and I applaud you for that. I know what it feels like to pursue a goal even when the odds are stacked against you but your goal has benefitted people in an amazing way I cannot congratulate you enough. I am also more than pleased to announce that the government is making more and more laws to protect children's rights! Once again well done and your achievement will not be forgotten.

1887 - Factory Act

Aha! My suspicions of the Factory Act have proved to be true. The act has officially been passed it states that the employment of males under 12 and females under 14 have been banned. I strongly agree with this new law because people overwork these poor children and in the end of the day they still are just children they're the most vulnerable of people. Their rights are often not respected and no one really cares enough to look in to it. Less children in the work force means smaller risk of injury. I know many would that, that would affect in a negative way because when work related injuries occur people would hire a lawyer but it is not like any of these children's families could afford a lawyer in the first place, that is why I can easily support them. Another reason why I support people who's rights aren't being respected is because I can relate to them. When your a female working in a male dominated proffesion, being disrespected, looked down upon, and forgotten is almost inevitable. It will probably be hard for the families who have lost that small income because no matter how small it was it made a difference to them too. Hopefully they will find a way to support themselves.

1885 - Head tax imposed on Chinese immigrants

The head tax on Chinese immigrants is absolutely proposterous and not to mention racist! These poor workers have spent countless hours working on the Canadian Pacific Railway. They were given the most dangerous of jobs and paid the least money. They left everything they had to make a better life for them and their family and now after all that hard work the government puts a head tax on them and them only? It is an outrage, it is racist, it is injustice and it is an embarrassment to Canadian history. The chinese may have been workers but they were people too. Charging every chinese that comes after the Canadian Pacific Railway was built makes it obvious that the Government was only using these people. And why should the Chinese be the only ones charged? How can the government justify that? If your going to charge then you might as well charge all races equally instead of discriminating against one race especially when that race did so much that benefitted us.

1873- Canadian Labour Union Formed

Many have asked me my opinion on Unions and now I am going to inform them. Unions are in my opinion a great idea for workers especially those who work in industries. It's a good way to make sure your opinion is heard because unions are not easily ignored. It is a dog eat dog world out there and often employers will think of their own needs before their employees, the Canadian Labour Union protects these employees. The Canadian Labour Union opposed the Government and spoke out against the long hours, low wages, inhumane working conditions and child labour workers. I truly do hope that something is done to help these innocent child labour workers, I have heard rumours of a Factory Act but I do not know much about it, all I am aware of is that the Canadian Labour Union is working very, very hard. They made sure opinions were heard, concerns voiced, and justice was being served. Justice, is that not my area of expertise? Many lawyers were hired to talk on both sides but the Canadian Labour Union made a bigger impact on the government. I honeslty believe that the Canadian Labour Union will have a positive impact on Canada's Future.