HIST 165: Eugenics in Canada

Practice flashcards to review key concepts and figures related to the history of eugenics in Canada.

What is eugenics?

A social theory from the late 19th century promoting the improvement of the human 'race' through various forms of intervention.

What were some of the philosophies reflected in eugenic ideologies?

• Nativist attitudes, immigration laws, and public health policies.

• Racist, ableist, and classist beliefs that social problems like poverty, crime, and disability were hereditary rather than caused by social conditions.

What were the three remedies proposed by Irene Parlby to address feeble-mindedness?

Regulation of marriage, segregation of mental defectives, and sterilization.

What was the Sexual Sterilization Act of 1928 in Alberta?

An Act enabling the sterilization of individuals deemed mentally unfit.

Which populations were targeted for sterilization in eugenic policies in Canada?

Individuals with mental disabilities or hereditary traits of mental health issues.

Who was Leilani Muir? Why was she sterilzed?

A woman sterilized under Alberta's Sexual Sterilization Act, who later advocated against forced sterilization. It revealed systemic abuse, lack of consent, and wrongful classification, leading to public awareness and government apologies.

Her mom dropped her off at the Michener Center even though she had no disabilities and was subjected to sterilization due to misconceptions about her background and mental health.

What was the response of the Roman Catholic Church to eugenics?

The church actively opposed sterilization practices being implemented during the eugenics movement. However supported sterilization for low IQ individuals

What did J.S. Woodsworth characterize in terms of immigration?

He established classifications of 'desire-ables' versus 'undesireables' based on assimilation potential.

What was one of the consequences of eugenic policies on mental health individuals?

It often resulted in wrongful sterilizations and long-term impacts on the lives of affected individuals.

Who was Irene Parbly?

United farm women of America president- fought for certain women to vote. openly supported eugenic policies, including sterilization.

Why was eugenics considered “scientific”?

It used the language of science and medicine to justify social control, making it appear rational and progressive even though it was unethical.

Who was J.S. Woodsworth and what was his role in eugenic thinking?

A Social Gospel reformer and first leader of the CCF who categorized immigrants into “desirable” and “undesirable” groups based on race and assimilability.

How did eugenics shape immigration policy in Canada? What does “assimilability” mean in eugenic thought?

Immigrants were classified by race and “assimilability,” with some groups labeled desirable and others undesirable. The perceived ability of immigrants to fit into white, Anglo-Canadian society.

What was Tommy Douglas’s connection to eugenics?

In his 1933 MA thesis, he argued that “subnormal” families were shaped by hereditary and environmental causes, reflecting eugenic ideas.

What did Tommy Douglas believe caused social problems?

A combination of hereditary traits and environmental factors.

What was the Provincial Training School (PTS)? What was it called and where was it?

An institution where people labeled “mentally defective” were confined and often sterilized. Called Michener center and located in Reddeer, Alberta.