As the world teeters on the brink of the Great War, Canada finds itself thrust into the conflict, with Sam Hughes, the Minister of Militia, spearheading the nation's mobilization efforts. Amidst the fervor of patriotism and the complexities of imperial duty, the film explores the challenges of raising a volunteer army, the industrial mobilization of the country, and the personal and political struggles of those tasked with leading Canada's contribution to the war effort.