Though Canada's era of prohibition may have come to a quick end for most of its provinces, that was certainly not the same for its southern neighbour. The Eighteenth Amendment of the United States Constitution would put a constitutional ban on the consumption, sale, and transport of alcohol from 1920 until it was repealed in 1933, opening up an entirely new market for Canada's returning alcohol sellers.
While the lucky American looking for a pint could technically travel across the border anytime, not everyone had the money or means to travel. As thus, many Canadians saw an opportunity to make easy cash. With the onset of the Great Depression and a practically unguarded border, rum running became Canada's new favourite industry.
For a market based entirely in what was technically crime, the rum running empire was one of the most gentile out there; rum runners even met up in Seattle in 1922 to establish their own rules and regulations. The general public saw them as modern day Robin Hoods, financially benefiting Canadian communities while also quenching America's new thirst. Rum running and bootlegging also became popular among women as a way to make money on their own. Officials in charge of enforcement were often happy to take bribes and look the other way or even take part in the smuggling itself.
Unfortunately, violence began to grow within the rum running industry that eventually brought the federal and local governments to act on said illicit activities. By the time the US abolished prohibition in 1933, most had moved on to different prospects.
For more information on rum running and prohibition in Canada, check out these sources!
If you are interested in reading up on the subject, there is a book available on Amazon for purchase at the following link:
PBS has a Ken Burns series that may be available to watch:
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