When demobilized Canadian soldiers poured back into the country in 1919, Canadians celebrated their return with enthusiasm. However, these returning veterans faced a radically different society from the one they had left in 1914. Canada was an indebted country which was marred by social crises and which lacked the means to keep promises made to its soldiers during the war. In the two decades following the war, veterans would voice their aspirations for a better post-war world – fighting for equality, respect and peace in Canada.