Over fifteen hundred Canadian volunteers fought against fascism in the Spanish Civil War (1936-1939) yet their story is little known.  At Remembrance Day ceremonies around the country it’s rare to hear mention of this forgotten group – the Canadian volunteers of the International Brigades, collectively known as the Mackenzie -Papineau Battalion or MacPaps.

This Remembrance Day, a special tribute is being organized to honour the Canadian volunteers buried in marked and unmarked graves across the country.  The organizers are looking for volunteers across Canada to place a white rose at a Mac-Pap volunteer’s grave. 

Most of the MacPaps were at their core labour activists.  They were organizers of many locals and participants in Canada’s 1930’s labour protests and strikes, including relief camps strikes, the Ballantyne Pier Riot and the On to Ottawa trek.  Most were lifelong social justice activists in their communities. Many of these individuals are in unmarked graves with little evidence of the sacrifices they made to support democracy in Spain and improve working conditions in Canada.

If you are interested in joining district councils, locals and individuals in paying tribute to the MacPaps this November 11th, please email: macpaptribute@gmail.com 

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