Between 1915 and 1946, the Canadian government put some ten thousand unskilled foreigners, jobless and homeless people, conscientious objectors, perceived enemies of the state, and prisoners of war to
Between 1915 and 1946, the Canadian government put some ten thousand unskilled foreigners, jobless and homeless people, conscientious objectors, perceived enemies of the state, and prisoners of war to work in western
Canada's national parks. These men had committed no crimes, but because of war or
depression, they were seen as a possible threat to public order and a potential source of civil unrest.
Many of the Banff, Jasper, and other national parks' heritage buildings and roads were
constructed through the backbreaking work of the internees in these labour camps. More than 125 archival photographs illustrate this compelling history of how these men lived and worked, how they were treated, and the legacy they left in our national parks.
Bill Waiser is the author, co-author or co-editor of eight books, including Park Prisoners: The Untold Story of Western Canada's National Parks and Loyal Till Death: Indians and the North-West Rebellion, a finalist for the Governor General's non-fiction literary award. His recent book, All Hell Can't Stop Us: The On-to-Ottawa Trek and Regina Riot, won the 2003 Saskatchewan Book Non-Fiction Award. He has served on the Canadian Historical Association and Canada's National History Society.
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