Although most women stayed in Canada, some decided to go to war and joined up in whatever ways they could. The first to enlist officially to serve the nation were the nurses. During World War I, there were only 2,845 of them and eligibility criteria were strict.

The soldiers nicknamed these nurses the Bluebirds, and they had a great deal of respect and appreciation for their commitment and for the care they provided. The nurses did not work at the front itself but in first-aid stations several kilometres away, in field hospitals or on hospital ships.

During the Second World War, there were 4,400 nurses, but women pressed to be allowed to enlist in other branches of the service. Finally, in 1941-1942, they were able to join the army, the air force and the Navy. Over the next five years, a total of more than 50,000 women signed up.