Black Tuesday: A Canadian Love Story

Black Tuesday, September 29, 1931, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police open fire on striking coal miners parading on a major street in Estevan, Saskatchewan. The miners were from nearby Bienfait. Flying bullets hit miners and bystanders. The subsequent melee injured many police officers and miners.

The gunfire killed Chad Walker’s grandfather. Afterwards, his grandmother left with Chad’s father to move to Calgary.

He grew up in a poor area of Calgary listening to stories about the event and his grandfather’s participation and death told to him by a difficult, uncaring, and alcoholic father.

When Estevan’s Historical Committee published a two-volume history of Estevan and area in 1981, Chad is curious why there is no mention of Black Tuesday.

Chad travels to Estevan to learn why it isn’t included and to discover more about his grandfather and the circumstances leading to that infamous riot day.

His exploration reveals how cruel miners and their families were treated by mining operators. The operators forced the miners to organize and strike to survive.

There, while researching, he falls in love with the librarian. He realizes his success as a rich oil man is not fulfilling. This young, beautiful librarian, makes Chad happier than he could ever imagine.

The story is one of self revelation. The love affair is sweet and endearing.