Commission of Government: 1934—1949

The Great Depression began in 1929. All over the world, companies went out of business and people lost their jobs. In Newfoundland, the fishery was good, but people could not live on the money they got from the sale of their cod. The government had been running on borrowed money for more than ten years. At last, no one would lend more money. In December of 1933, the government shut itself down and asked Britain to take control of Newfoundland and Labrador. The result was the Commission of Government.

From 1934 until after Confederation with Canada, there were no elections in Newfoundland. Instead, all the decisions were made by commissioners. The commissioners were chosen by government officials in Britain.

World War II began in 1939 when France and Britain declared war on Germany. Germany was taking over countries around it. World War II was important to Newfoundland. Thousands of troops came from Canada and the United States. Lots of money poured into Newfoundland and the economy recovered. When the war was over, people began to talk about the future. Did they want to live in an independent country again, should they join Canada or remain a part of Britain?

Important Dates in Commission of Government