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The Diefenbunker: Canada’s Cold War Museum was originally called Canadian Forces Station Carp, and its purpose was to house elements of the federal government in the event of a nuclear attack during the Cold War. Commissioned by then Prime Minister John Diefenbaker, the facility was built as part of the government’s contingency plan to protect Canada from a nuclear attack. CFS Carp (nicknamed the Diefenbunker) was one of several emergency government facilities built throughout Canada. Its position as Canada’s Central Emergency Government Headquarters meant that it would house the Prime Minister and Governor General in the event of a lockdown situation, and that it would coordinate communications from the regional and zonal headquarters. The Diefenbunker is a 100,000 square foot underground facility designed for 535 people in a lockdown period of 30 days. The Diefenbunker remained an active military communications base from 1962 until it was decommissioned in 1994. During that time, between 100 and 150 people were stationed at the base at all times and were involved in important telecommunication work that kept them in communication with NATO, NORAD, the United States and other allies. The men and women stationed here were responsible for the upkeep of the bunker, and for ensuring that the facility was always ready to go into lockdown. Luckily, there was no nuclear attack on Canada during this time, and the Diefenbunker never served its original purpose.
The Diefenbunker has compiled oral history records from 19 former employees of CFS Carp, now known as the Diefenbunker. The material collected proved to be not only incredibly interesting, but also very engaging. Each interview spawned more questions, each contact brought to light another employee and another story. The project has only begun. We continue to meet people who knew the Diefenbunker, who were stationed there, who ran its complex machines, or who stuck the first shovels in the ground to build this amazing 100,000 square foot bunker.
These interviews capture what life was like during the Cold War. They bring a name, a face and a feeling to the tonnes of concrete and office space that was this Central Emergency Government Headquarters at CFS Carp.
During its 33 year operation, the Diefenbunker was for many a place to work, a place to socialize and a place to live. Although many of these employees say that CFS Carp was originally an intimidating posting, it is fondly remembered by mo
