Recognizing over 400 years African-Canadian history

Black Canadians have long strived to have their accomplishments and contributions recognized and to keep their often-untold history alive. In 1995 the Parliament of Canada officially recognized February as Black History Month. The motion was brought forward by the Honourable Jean Augustine, MP of Etobicoke-Lakeshore— and the first Canadian black woman elected to parliament—but there were antecedents for Black History Month from the 1950s onward. The first black people in Canada arrived over 400 years ago. These first Africans were brought to Canada—as they were in the United States—as slaves. Though slavery was abolished in Upper Canada (now Ontario) in 1793, it was only in 1833 that the rest of Canada—and its fellow British colonies—followed suit under the British Imperial Act for the Abolition of Slavery. As a result of Upper Canada’s progressiveness, many black slaves in America escaped to places like St. Catharine’s, Windsor and Toronto via the Underground Railroad. However, freedom for black people was limited as many public places and institutions were deeply segregated. Black Canadians were systematically denied opportunities for growth, economic and otherwise, due to race. One of the few jobs black men were allowed to perform was that of railway porter. Consequently, this group of workers unified and played a massive role in the pursuit of black rights within Canada.

Despite its struggles, the African-Canadian community has made extraordinary contributions to this country. Black Canadians have saved lives as doctors, upheld the law as judges and lawyers, entertained us as actors and musicians, competed and won as athletes, and informed us as writers and journalists.