Canadian Forward
Encyclopedia
The Canadian Forward was the official party organ of the Social Democratic Party of Canada
between 1916 and 1918. It was one of the leading papers of the socialist movement, providing ascerbic commentary on the war effort of the First World War, especially conscription
.
It was edited by Isaac Bainbridge and published at 363 Spadina Avenue in Toronto
, Ontario.
Its historical significance lies in its repression. Bainbridge raised the ire of the Chief Press Censor, Lieutenant Colonel Chambers, who called for its outlawing. After Bainbridge was successfully convicted several times for seditious libel
, Chambers eventually had the paper outlawed. However, the paper could not be outlawed until after the December 1917 election, due to political considerations.
Interestingly, the simple possession of the Canadian Forward became illegal following its outlawing in 1918. On December 20th, 1918, three Stratford men were convicted of the simple possession of the paper - an item that had been wholly legal prior to the edict of October 5th, 1918 - and one man, Arthur Skidmore, was sentenced to 30 days in jail.
Social Democratic Party of Canada
The Social Democratic Party was a social democratic political party in Canada founded in 1911 by members of the right wing of the Socialist Party of Canada. these members were dissatisfied with what they saw as that party's rigid, doctrinaire approach...
between 1916 and 1918. It was one of the leading papers of the socialist movement, providing ascerbic commentary on the war effort of the First World War, especially conscription
Conscription
Conscription is the compulsory enlistment of people in some sort of national service, most often military service. Conscription dates back to antiquity and continues in some countries to the present day under various names...
.
It was edited by Isaac Bainbridge and published at 363 Spadina Avenue in Toronto
Toronto
Toronto is the provincial capital of Ontario and the largest city in Canada. It is located in Southern Ontario on the northwestern shore of Lake Ontario. A relatively modern city, Toronto's history dates back to the late-18th century, when its land was first purchased by the British monarchy from...
, Ontario.
Its historical significance lies in its repression. Bainbridge raised the ire of the Chief Press Censor, Lieutenant Colonel Chambers, who called for its outlawing. After Bainbridge was successfully convicted several times for seditious libel
Seditious libel
Seditious libel was a criminal offence under English common law. Sedition is the offence of speaking seditious words with seditious intent: if the statement is in writing or some other permanent form it is seditious libel...
, Chambers eventually had the paper outlawed. However, the paper could not be outlawed until after the December 1917 election, due to political considerations.
Interestingly, the simple possession of the Canadian Forward became illegal following its outlawing in 1918. On December 20th, 1918, three Stratford men were convicted of the simple possession of the paper - an item that had been wholly legal prior to the edict of October 5th, 1918 - and one man, Arthur Skidmore, was sentenced to 30 days in jail.