The War Measures Act was a Canadian law enacted in 1914 during World War I. It granted the government extraordinary powers to maintain security and order during wartime. This included the ability to arrest individuals without a warrant, censor communications, and control the economy. The Act aimed to protect Canada from potential threats and ensure national unity. The Act was also invoked during World War II and the October Crisis in 1970. Its use has been controversial, as it often led to the suspension of civil liberties. The Act was eventually replaced by the Emergencies Act in 1988, which provides a more balanced approach to emergency situations.