Kids protested chocolate bar inflation in 1947

By Joan Janzen

Did you know kids across Canada protested inflated chocolate bar prices in 1947? When the cost of five-cent chocolate bars rose to the lofty heights of eight cents, children held demonstrations in cities throughout Canada. The Leader Post wrote about the Regina demonstration when 800 children ranging in age from 6 to 16, waved banners and shouted “We want five-cent chocolate bars”.

Similar protest parades were held in Calgary and Lethbridge where hundreds of children marched while carrying posters declaring they would not buy bars at the present price. Parades were the opening phase of a four-week buyers’ strike.

It was 1947 when children ages 6-16 held protest parades in cities throughout Canada while shouting “We want five-cent chocolate bars!”. The demonstrations occurred after the price of chocolate bars rose to the lofty price of eight cents. PHOTO MUSEUM ARCHIVES