A Friend in Need or a Business Indeed?: Disabled Bodies and Fraternalism in Victorian Ontario

• Published in: Labour (Halifax) Vol. 66; no. 66; pp. 9 - 36
• Main Author: Galer, Dustin
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Committee on Canadian Labour History and AU Press 22.09.2010; The Canadian Committee on Labour History; Canadian Committee on Labour History
• Subjects: 19th century; 20th century; Demand; Disabilities; Disability; Disability insurance; Disabled persons; Employee benefits; Employee insurance; Employer provided health insurance; Employment; Foresters; Fraternities; Health insurance; Industrial plants; Insurance; Insurance benefits; Insurance industry; Insurance providers; Insurance regulation; Labor unions; Laws, regulations and rules; Legitimacy; Life insurance; Market analysis; Medical screening; Ontario; Services; Social exclusion; Voluntary organizations; Work-related injuries; Workers with disabilities; Working class; Ontario; Ontario Canada; Canada

During the period of early capitalism in Ontario, disabled workers were forced to find ways to survive following an injury. Affordable insurance offered by fraternal societies provided limited protection for many working-class families but was not a reliable source of financial support for injured a...