World War I broke out in 1914. Over 300,000 Canadians, mostly English-speaking, volunteered to fight overseas. The first contingent set sail for England on October 3, 1914. During the conflict, some 630,000 individuals enlisted in the Canadian Expeditionary Force. During this time in Quebec, the conscription crisis crystallized in 1917 with a deep rift in public opinion over Canadians’ involvement in the war. In all, over 61,000 soldiers lost their lives on the battlefields of Europe. Come and learn their story!
A Grand Trunk Railway ferry docking in Québec City
John Boyd
Between 1908 and 1921, freight traffic between Québec City and Lévis was handled by rail ferries operated by the Grand Trunk Railway. This maritime trade link was crucial during World War I. On the other side of the river, Fort No. 1 was used as ammunition storage and as barracks for soldiers bound for Europe.
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