One of Canada's outstanding reformers and parliamentarians, Woodsworth was born here on "Applewood" farm. Educated at universities in Winnipeg, Toronto and Oxford, England, he served as a Methodist minister, social worker, and longshoreman, 1900-1918. He was actively involved in the Winnipeg General Strike of 1919 and two years later was elected to Parliament for Winnipeg North-Centre, which he represented until his death. Passionately earnest in his quest for social justice, Woodsworth worked unceasingly for the establishment of old-age pensions, unemployment insurance and other social security measures. In 1932 he was the principal founder of the Co-operative Commonwealth Federation and was that party's president until 1940. Intensely loyal to his pacifist convictions, he alone, in Parliament, opposed unconditionally Canada's participation in World War II.

Location

In front of Applewood, the former Woodsworth homestead, 450 The West Mall, Toronto

Themes

• Organizations
• People
• Politics and law