June 4, 1908. An organizational meeting for what would become The League for the Protection of the Feebleminded was held at the Morris Street School for the Blind in Halifax, Nova Scotia. (Fingard and Rutherford, 2008, p. 1) Angus McLaren has recognized this organization as “Canada’s first ‘eugenical movement’.”(McLaren, 1990, p. 24)

This initial meeting included physicians, clergy, academics, businessmen and female activists (the meeting was organized by and the organization an offshoot of the Halifax Council of Women). (Fingard and Rutherford, 2008, p. 1.) Priorities at this meeting concerned the “control of the feebleminded.” (Fingard and Rutherford, 2008, p. 1) The League for the Protection of the Feebleminded evolved throughout the twentieth century eventually becoming the Nova Scotia branch of the Canadian Mental Health Association.

-Leslie Baker

• Fingard, J. & Rutherford, J. (2008) Protect, Befriend, Respect: Nova Scotia’s Mental Health Movement 1908-2008. Halifax: Fernwood Publishing.

• McLaren, A. (1990) Our Own Master Race: Eugenics in Canada, 1885-1945. Toronto: McClelland & Stewart.