Manpower Model

The U.S. hurried to Canada for advice and help. Into the Dominion this week went three members of the U.S. War Manpower Commission. Washington was getting ready to adopt a work-or-fight law (see U.S. at War); Canada had had one since 1942. The commissioners wanted to see for themselves how Canada's system works. At Ottawa they were to get an overall view. Then they could visit Toronto, Hamilton, Montreal to see how the system works in the field.

Canada's National Selective Service Act gives the Government control over all Canadian men & women between 16 and 65. Under the law, the armed services get first pick of the Dominion's men; those left over are automatically mobilized into the civilian army. All workers are registered and their skills classified. Lowest classifications: bartenders, florists, taxi men, candy salesmen, etc. Many cannot quit a job without permission. No one can even advertise for a job, or for a worker, without a permit. N.S.S. Director Arthur MacNamara (also Deputy Minister of Labor) is empowered to shift any worker to a job where he is needed more. Transferred workers must accept the wage rates paid by the employer to whom they are assigned, no matter how much more they may have been getting at their old jobs. In cases where workers thus suffer reductions in income, the Government may pay a maximum of $12.50 a week in compensation. Since the law went into effect, an estimated 500,000 men have been compelled to change their jobs.

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