" Is that a gas pipe sticking out at the bottom or just the drain?
Only sort of piping one has ever seen with such a lever are gas mains.
Given climate and fact well into 1960's many homes in Canada did not have hot running water, a washing machine that heated its own water made sense. These were common enough in Great Britain and elsewhere in Europe.
Wringer washers out sold automatics well past 1964 in Canada. When a household replaced a washing machine it was likely with another wringer, not an automatic.
Much of this had to do with natural resources and mindset of many Canadian housewives. Well into 1960's and even 1970's a good number viewed dumping hot water used once down drain (as with automatic washing machines) a huge waste of water and energy. Fact that many automatic washers advertised how they rinsed loads several times in fresh water was also an anathema.
Canada with its vast rural areas, mining town, farms, etc.. made housewives conscious about water and energy use. When you're on a septic system you keep an eye on water going down drain. Whatever fuel used to heat water likely wasn't cheap so dumping hot water used once down drain can seem wasteful.
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