The Department of Soldiers' Civil Re-establishment was established by the Dominion Government of Canada in 1918 to handle the major problem of returning Canadian servicemen to civilian life after the First World War.
The Department's Medical Branch also operated a Social Service Section to care for out-patients who had tuberculosis, neurological or mental conditions, could not work, or were disadvantaged in the labour market because of their injuries.
Those in this condition were offered retraining at St Dunstan's Hostel, Regent's Park, London, or at the Canadian National Institute for the Blind, Pearson Hall, Toronto, at which further courses and the provision of aftercare were also available.
Blind soldiers were trained in massage, poultry farming, carpentry, piano tuning, stenography, broom-making, and telegraphy.
The Department operated a large artificial limb and surgical appliance factory, mainly employing disabled ex-servicemen, at 47 Buchanan Street, Toronto, with fitting depots in all the major cities.
The Provincial Governments and the Dominion Department of Labour worked to establish at least one employment office in every city in Canada, and information on vacancies was exchanged between areas for men willing to travel.
The office of Minister of Soldiers' Civil Re-establishment was created by Order in Council dated 21 February 1918, pursuant to the War Measures Act.