Central Bedeque Women's Christian Temperance Union

The Women's Christian Temperance Union (WCTU) was formed in Canada in 1874. The group believed that alcohol was at the root of many social issues, including family violence, poverty, and unemployment, and sought to have the sale of alcohol banned in Canada. Beginning in 1890, several local chapters of the WCTU were formed across Prince Edward Island. It would appear the efforts of the WCTU did not go unnoticed and in 1900 the provincial legislature passed the Prohibition Act, making Prince Edward Island the first province in Canada to ban the sale of alcohol. Even after prohibition was introduced and then abolished on PEI, some WCTU groups remained active for many years. The Central Bedeque chapter of the WCTU provided booklets and posters about temperance to be handed out to school children and presented awards to pupils writing temperance examinations. The group sent letters to government officials advocating stricter legislation regarding drinking and driving, and they sent letters to church leaders asking that temperance be discussed with the congregation. To raise funds for the group, the WCTU catered suppers, held pantry sales, and collected dues. The Central Bedeque WCTU operated from at least 1959 to 1964.