Summerside's War Effort During WWII

In order to support the war effort, the Canadian government moved quickly to assume control over the raw materials in the country. Incredibly huge amounts of minerals, wood, metals, and textiles were required for the industries that were established to make munitions, military vehicles, ships, airplanes, as well as clothing and equipment for the troops. Buildings were erected for military training facilities and barracks and also for wartime workers in centres where war factories operated. Gasoline and some food items were rationed. The Wartime Prices and Trade Board imposed price ceilings on goods, services, and rents.

The magnitude and far-reaching measures of the wartime economy were enormous. The residents of small Prince Edward Island never experienced the atmosphere of the places that boasted huge industries.

Summerside, however, did benefit from two minor war-related industries - potato dehydration and boat building - described in the Community section of this website.

In terms of daily living, everyone across the nation felt the consequences of the rationing and other measures introduced by government in order to control the economy.

The very broad theme of materials has been reduced for the parameters of this website about Summerside to the following subjects: Wartime Prices and Trade Board, Gasoline and rubber, Conservation, Salvage drives, and Food.