The Battle Of The Hatpins & The Police In Ottawa 1916

Just to demonstrate rebellion against the police is not a new thing in Canada, the “Battle of the Hatpins” was a real event that happened in Ottawa, Ontario in 1916. In French it was: Bataille des épingles à chapeaux.

The reason for the conflict was a Provincial Regulation designed to restrict French language education in the Province of Ontario. The government began replacing French teachers with English only teachers. This was viewed as xenophobic and drew protests, which were led by two sisters, both French speaking teachers.

When it was learned the two sisters were defying the regulation, and teaching French in another school, the Province of Ontario stepped in and ordered the school to be shut down.

By the time the government officials arrived at the school with the police, a crowd of women (mothers of the school children) had gathered to protest. They were also there to defend and protect the French teachers from being arrested. About seventy women were armed with hatpins and other household items. It was later reported in the press, as though it was a bit of a dainty affair, and without too much detail “the ladies had retaken possession their classes”.

However, the jubilation was short-lived. Just a few days later, thirty police officers showed up at the school, and forced the door to gain entry. The women were waiting inside the school, and when the police came in with batons, they fought back using hatpins, frying pans, rolling pins, and other household items. One lawyer was pelted with ice.

A police officer was reported to have had “his thumb chewed” and another officer got a black eye. After that confrontation, a group of women guarded the school for several weeks.

Having lived in western Canada all my life, I never knew about the battle of the hatpins until recently. Although it almost seems comical, it is not funny when you consider the circumstances for women during the 1912 – 1927 time frame. They were also fighting for the right to be considered real persons, with the right to vote. They were not prepared to be treated as chattel, and were prepared to fight for their children’s education, and the values they believed in.

Although I would never condone resorting to violence, you have to acknowledge it took a great deal of courage to do what they did. As a result of their determination and stamina, they did defeat the English only regulation. Bilingual education was brought back to the schools in Ontario.

The time frame was part of both the suffrage movement, and a cultural resistance movement. Looking back, it demonstrates how a group of passionate people, no matter how much they are perceived as powerless, can have an impact – if they have a valid reason and a worthwhile cause.

How long did it take the Ontario government to admit wrongdoing and make a full apology? One hundred years.

Well Done!