Events A temporary income tax is introduced to cover wartime expenses. Women vote for the first time. February 1 - James Murray becomes premier of New Brunswick, replacing George Clarke April 4 - Walter Foster becomes premier of New Brunswick, replacing James Murray April 9 to April 12 - Battle of Vimy Ridge. June 7 - Alberta election: Arthur Sifton's Liberals win a fourth consecutive majority June 21 - Aubin Arsenault becomes premier of Prince Edward Island, replacing John Mathieson June 26 - Saskatchewan election: William Martin's Liberals win a fourth consecutive majority July 31 to November 6 - Battle of Passchendaele. October 30 - Charles Stewart (1868-1946) becomes premier of Alberta, replacing Arthur Sifton December 6 - Halifax explosion kills 2000 people and injures 9000. The largest ever man-made explosion pre-Hiroshima atomic bomb. December 17 - Federal election: Robert Borden's Conservatives win a second consecutive majority