Historical Society

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Chocolate Bar Protest of 1947

Prior to the Second World War, chocolate bars in Canada cost 5cents. During the war, the Canadian Government imposed a one-cent war tax on chocolate bars and children expected that after the war, the price would return to the pre-war level.

However, in the spring of 1947, when subsidies were no longer paid to candy companies and the price ceiling was removed, the cost of chocolate bars was raised to 8-cents.

Teen-agers on Vancouver Island suggested a boycott and pickets against the increased chocolate bar. These events galvanized other kids and teenagers across Canada who followed suit. Chocolate bar boycotts and strikes spread across the country, including here in Lethbridge. During lunch hour on May 1, 1947, students from Westminster School led a protest parade down 13th Street North (shown in the photograph). The police diverted drivers down side streets and adults gathered along the street to watch. The group carried bright banners and chanted slogans. A second protest parade was held the following Saturday in downtown Lethbridge. Canadian kids did not win this fight. It wasn’t long before adults were putting an end to the protests and boycotts, using the excuse that Communists were behind the protests. Cross-country protests planned for 3 May 1947 were quelled.

Lethbridge Historical Society

facebook.com/LethbridgeHistoricalSociety/ Photograph: compliment of Galt Museum & Archives. Want to become an LHS member? https://www.albertahistory.org/membership-account/membership-levels/