Unemployment Relief Acts
Federal politicians passed several acts, in the early 1930s, to deal with the widespread problems of unemployment and poverty. The Unemployment Relief Act of 1930 set aside $20 million dollars of federal money to be used for a number of projects, particularly improving public works; constructing railways, roads, bridges, canals, and wharves; and reimbursing provinces and municipalities for their unemployment relief costs, including direct relief. New Brunswick's share of this sum for 1930-1931 was $500,000. This act was followed, in 1931, by the Unemployment and Farm Relief Act which, in essence, extended the term of the first act.