Building Sanctuary ─ The Movement to Support Vietnam War Resisters in Canada, 1965-1973

Americans are familiar with the trope of the Vietnam "draft dodger" fleeing to Canada in the 1960s. However, Canadian historical scholar Squires suggests that acceptance of war resisters (a term chosen for inclusiveness of non-drafted emigrants such as women) in Canada was not without cultural tension. This book discusses the movement in Canada to support American war resisters, as well as the ambivalent treatment of immigrants by the Canadian government, including different options for "dodgers" vs. "deserters" and changes of administration that took place during the Vietnam era. Squires links the events of the period to the emergence of "left nationalism" and gives brief reflection on other struggles of the 1960s that lasted beyond, and were sometimes linked with draft resistance. U.S. distribution is by U. of Washington Press and Canadian by U. of Toronto Press. Annotation c2013 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Jessica Squires is an independent scholar of Canadian political, social, and cultural history who lives and works in Gatineau, Quebec.