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The Great Depression of the 1930s caused a substantial increase in unemployment around the world. Elected officials had to intervene and quickly alleviate families’ needs. In Québec City, the solution was to introduce an unemployment insurance, but also to begin a number of public works projects to provide employment opportunities. This photograph shows municipal employees paving a street.
1902 - 1942

Québec City workers

By the early 1900s, trades were diversifying and expanding at the same pace as urban centres. Events such as World War I, and the Great Depression of the 1930s close on its heels, ushered in major changes throughout the first half of the 20th century. This album presents the workers from various sectors who helped transform Québec City. Come and meet them! Perhaps you can shed light on this effervescent period in work history?

Municipal employees paving a street

Auteur inconnu The Great Depression of the 1930s caused a substantial increase in unemployment around the world. Elected officials had to intervene and quickly alleviate families’ needs. In Québec City, the solution was to introduce an unemployment insurance, but also to begin a number of public works projects to provide employment opportunities. This photograph shows municipal employees paving a street.
Chronoscope Do you know where they are? (unilingual French for a limited time) Source: Ville de Québec Document in the public domain (free of copyright) - Wenceslas Picard Fonds - Date: circa 1940