Simple Shelters?

The article focuses on the history of the development of fallout shelters in Canada between 1959 and 1963, in the event of nuclear war. The author discusses the Canadian government's involvement under Prime Minister John Diefenbaker and their advising of homeowners to build shelters at their own expense, and its lack of success due to homeowner's inability to pay for the materials. The author emphasizes the participation of the Canadian military in the building of shelter buildings due to federal and local government's inability to meet the challenges of the changing threats to Canada and the progression of the Cold War arms race. Details relating to the Canadian Army's use of the shelters to collect and disseminate information on nuclear fallout is provided.