Direct relief for Verdunites

Many unemployed Verdunites found employment thanks to direct relief in addition to roadwork and building construction projects set up by the municipalities and the various levels of government. The recipients of such direct relief had to live in Verdun and be unemployed, fitted to work and have no financial resources or family assistance. Family men were also given priority over bachelors. Despite the large-scale projects that were launched, such as the one to build the Auditorium, unemployment rose by 50% in just a few months’ time in Verdun. It wasn’t until World War II broke out that the unemployment numbers dropped.