Rationing of gasoline, tea, coffee, sugar, butter, beer and liquor becomes a fact of life. Emily Carr, Victoria-born artist and author, dies at age 73. Parades, bonfires and boat whistles greet the announcement that the war in Europe is over. Three months later, Japan's surrender sets off another round of celebrations. Earthquake measuring 7.3 on the Richter Scale rocks Courtenay , causing widespread damage and the collapse of several buildings.
Parking meters make their debut in Victoria.
The new Hospital Insurance Act, with its compulsory premium payment, and a three per cent sales tax designed to finance increased social services goes into effect. Voting rights extended to Chinese and East Indian citizens. Modern buses replace electric streetcars. Memorial Ice Arena opens. An offshore earthquake measuring 8.1 on the Richter Scale, collapses embankments, tumbles chimneys, topples trees and severs roads in the Queen Charlotte Islands and along the coast.