1911

The cooperatively owned Saskatchewan Cooperative Elevator Company is founded by 2,565 farmer shareholders.

1911

As a result of an influx of immigrants attracted by western homesteads, population in both provinces increases more than fivefold from 1901: Alberta to 374,000 from 73,000, Saskatchewan to 492,000 from 91,000.

1915 

Alberta prohibits the sale of alcohol; Saskatchewan goes dry the following year.

1916

Women in both Alberta and Saskatchewan obtain the right to vote in municipal and provincial elections.

1920

The Progressive Party is founded by Thomas Crerar with the support of prairie farm groups, to support free trade, direct democracy, and the cooperative movement. The following year, it sends sixty-four members to Parliament.

1929

The stock market crashes, ushering in the Great Depression. A glut of wheat on the world market causes devastation for prairie farmers.

1935

The Social Credit party, led by William Aberhart, defeats Richard Reid’s United Farmers of Alberta.

1944

The Cooperative Commonwealth Federation sweeps into power in Saskatchewan, with Tommy Douglas as premier.

1947

Driller Vern Hunter strikes oil near Leduc, Alberta, setting off the Alberta oil boom.

1947

Saskatchewan becomes the first province to pass human rights legislation prohibiting discrimination on the basis of race, colour, or creed.

1962

Saskatchewan introduces medicare to its citizens. Doctors opposing the plan go on strike, which is eventually resolved by a legislative amendment.

1968

The federal Medical Care Act comes into effect, extending Saskatchewan’s publicly funded health-care system across Canada.

1971

The Conservative Party, led by Peter Lougheed, wins the Alberta election, thus ending the long reign of the Social Credit party.

1973

A rise in world oil prices sets off an economic boom in Alberta.

1982

Grant Devine’s Conservative party defeats the NDP government and proceeds to privatize all the resource Crown corporations created by the former administration.