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The Dark History of Grosse Île
Grosse Île, located 50km east of Quebec City, is one of 21 islands in the middle of the St. Lawrence River. Despite its name meaning “Big Island” in French, Grosse Île is a small island, only two kilometers square, with a few remaining buildings from its time as a quarantine station for Irish immigrants coming to Canada. In 1974, it was declared a National Historic Site and now welcomes visitors with a museum, guided tours, and other activities. However, the island has a hidden past. During World War II, Canadian scientists used Grosse Île as a clandestine laboratory to research and develop some of the most lethal diseases known to humanity – biological weapons that could have caused widespread devastation.
The Canadian Initiative for Biological Warfare
Canada is not typically associated with Weapons of Mass Destruction, but during the lead-up to World War II, it was one of the first western countries to advocate for chemical and biological warfare. Sir Frederick Banting, known for his Nobel Prize-winning discovery of insulin, became deeply concerned about Germany’s potential use of chemical and germ warfare. Germany had previously introduced chemical warfare in World War I and had some of the world’s leading microbiologists. Banting’s fear of the Nazi regime led him to support the development of biological weapons, and in 1939 he convinced Canadian officials to fund a more extensive program. With financial support from private donors, Canada’s bioweapons research accelerated, and the M-1000 Committee was established to oversee it. Tragically, Banting died in a plane crash in 1941 before seeing the results of his efforts.
The Threat of Japanese Biological Warfare
With Japan’s entry into the war in December 1941, the urgency for biological weapons increased. Japan had already been experimenting with biological warfare in occupied Manchuria through Unit 731, where they tested on live Chinese POWs and civilians. They also used anthrax, cholera, and bubonic plague against Chinese villages, resulting in over 400,000 civilian deaths.
Canada’s Secret Laboratory
The M-1000 committee evaluated numerous potential biological warfare agents, ultimately focusing on Rinderpest and Anthrax. Anthrax was especially suitable for warfare due to its resilient spores that could withstand high temperatures, making it ideal for bomb dispersal. The British government sought an alternative site for manufacturing and testing these weapons and turned to Canada. Grosse Île was selected for its isolation and self-sufficiency, including decontamination facilities that could be repurposed for growing anthrax.
The Risks and Challenges
Despite precautions, Grosse Île faced challenges such as fly infestations that could spread deadly spores and incidents of scientists contracting anthrax. The island’s secrecy also led to tensions with the nearby community of Montmagny. By the end of 1943, Grosse Île was producing significant quantities of anthrax spores, but concerns about contamination and political considerations prevented their use.
The Aftermath
After World War II ended, it was revealed that Germany had not developed biological weapons as feared. Canada’s contribution to the Allied bioweapons effort was relatively small, but the legacy of these programs continued for decades with secret testing and stockpiling of chemical and biological agents. The government eventually decommissioned Grosse Île in 1956, repurposing it for veterinary research and later as an animal quarantine station.
Uncovering the Truth
In 1974, Grosse Île was opened to tourists without knowledge of its wartime role. It wasn’t until 1988 that the truth about its use as an anthrax factory emerged. Although scientists claimed to have decontaminated the island, doubts remained about potential contamination. The government acted swiftly to clean up the site before reopening it to the public. To this day, there have been no known cases of anthrax contracted from visiting Grosse Île.
The full extent of Canada’s bioweapons program may never be known due to lost records, but this chapter remains a stark reminder of the nation’s history that contradicts its peaceful image. It also serves as a testament to the restraint shown by most nations during World War II in avoiding biological warfare.
