The evolution of consumerism seems to play a large role in this week’s readings on Canadian society. But more precisely on how the economy had to change to fit this new style of supply and demand within Canada and most of these changes are built off the hard work of the working class and changes to the work force and system they find themselves within. During the early years during the early twentieth century the Vancouver revolt shows the realization that works come to when an understanding that their pay does not reflect their job and effect on the Canadian economy.[1] Without these pushes made by the working populace throughout Canada there would continue to be clear divides between all the classes even though there were still clear differences present after the changes made.  However these changes also allowed for changes that would later allow for more gender equality. Before these ideals of gender equality became prominent most companies assumed a male dominated work force.[2] This idea of male domination within the work force was perpetuated by the idea that all women should be at home tending to the children and doing “wifely” duties. But these views did not alter the foundation in the factories that allowed for women to join and perform similar duties to their male counterparts. As seen in Wright’s article some of the employers believed that the addition of new technology would allow for younger generations to learn the trades faster, especially in skill based places like the fisheries.[3] While other places like Eaton focused on making the environment user friendly and allow for not only the employees understand the catalogues and what they were buying but also potential buyers.[4]

This focus on the modernization of the economy, workforce, and consumerism allowed for many changes within the social sector later on, and altered many family lifestyles with it. Without these changes made on behalf of the workers by the companies some of the younger generations might have moved away, or had a harder time getting a stable job which every working class citizen desired.