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American History is a part of Canadian history.

As much as many Canadians like to take a holier than thou position as if we’re a whole lot different from America – the truth is; our history is very well connected. Many of the Black people who were enslaved in America escaped to Canada through the underground railroad.

This is true.

This is what is taught in schools.

This is what most Canadians know. 

 

It’s a thing of pride for many Canadians… And it should be.

But that reality doesn’t erase the fact that many of the Black people who escaped from the United States and settled in Canada had to leave their families and loved ones behind. It doesn’t erase the fact that many died on their way to Canada. It doesn’t erase the fact that many of them were met with very dire circumstances.

And it shouldn’t be erased that much of the challenges associated with Black Canadians today are very much connected to the fact that Black people were enslaved for 339 years:

Don’t get me wrong…

There’s no question that The Underground Railroad helped tens of thousands of enslaved Black people escape to British North America (ie. Canada) after slavery was abolished in the British Empire. There’s also no question that thousands of Black people in the American colonies who were loyal to Great Britain were granted freedom in the British Empire after the American War of Independence.

But what’s often overlooked is the fact that loyalists who immigrated to Canada after the War of Independence were allowed to bring the Black people whom they enslaved with them. It’s also overlooked that slavery was legal in New France and in British North America (aka Canada) until 1834.

For those unaware, Juneteenth is a celebration of the end of the enslavement of Black people throughout the US. And while Canada may have ended slavery prior to the US; the effects transcended.

Here’s a bit of a history lesson rarely taught in school:

The first enslaved African brought to Canada was a 7 year-old boy from Madagascar named Olivier Le Jeune. He arrived in 1628. It would be another 206 years before slavery was finally and completely abolished across Canadian colonies:

While Canadian weather didn’t permit for cotton fields or sugar plantations, the treatment of enslaved Black people is historically documented as being no better than elsewhere. The life expectancy was low, and the cruelty was similar. History shows that there was even a time when slavery was abolished in certain northern states and enslaved Black people throughout Canada would try to escape in order to be free.

The next talking point that many make is that slavery was so long ago. It was. But the length of time in which slavery and segregation took place is longer than the amount of time in which it hasn’t. Even in Canada… And the impact that slavery has had on Canadian history and treatment of Black people cannot be denied.

Here’s a few dates and examples of situations in Canada’s history that are often overlooked:

 

  • In Quebec, between 1629 and 1833, there were a reported 4,185 enslaved Black and First Nations people. Many lived in Quebec City, where they were kept in the homes of wealthy and prestigious families.

 

  • Records show that in the 1790s there were between 1,200 and 2,000 enslaved Black people in New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and P.E.I., about 300 in what is now known as Quebec, and up to 700 in what is now known as Ontario.

 

  • The first mayor of Saint John, New Brunswick, Gabriel G. Ludlow enslaved Black people. While serving as the mayor from 1785 until 1795, he introduced racist laws that would exist until 1870. For example, Black people could not take an oath to gain the status of free men and were prohibited from practicing the trade or selling of goods in the city. Black people were barred from fishing at Saint John Harbour, and could not live within the city limits unless they were employed as a servant or labourer.

 

  • In December 1816, in a letter to his superior Lord Bathurst, George Ramsay (Founder of Dalhousie University) wrote that the Black Refugees in Nova Scotia were: “Slaves by habit & education…their idea of freedom is idleness and they are therefore quite incapable of industry.”

 

  • In Nova Scotia, Black people established a district known as Africville shortly after the War of 1812. The residents owned their land, their homes and their businesses. But even though they paid taxes, the community had no running water, sewage system, police or fire departments. The community was forcibly dismantled from 1964 to 1969, houses bulldozed and their residents resettled into public housing without consent or proper compensation

 

  • The University of Toronto denied admission to Black applicants in the 1920s. In a letter of correspondence regarding the 1923 application of Lean Elizabeth Griffin, an African American woman, Assistant Dean and Secretary of the Faculty of Medicine Edward Stanley Ryerson informed Registrar James Brebner, “When she [Lean Elizabeth Griffin] wrote for an application we did not realize she was colored. Colored students are a problem when they get to the hospital and we would be glad if you could avoid accepting her application.”

 

  • In 1923, the Edmonton city council passed an ordinance that barred Blacks from swimming in city pools after an outcry from the white public and the Edmonton Exhibition Association which opposed mixed bathing. Skating rinks also refused admission to Blacks, no matter the age.

 

  • The last racially segregated school in Nova Scotia closed in 1983 in Guysborough County

 

So while many of our History books have ignored the realities of racism and the impacts of slavery in Canada – the internet shall not… Thus, moving forward all of my companies will celebrate Juneteenth as a company-recognized paid annual holiday. For those unfamiliar, Juneteenth is a celebration of the end of the enslavement of Black people throughout the US. While Canada may have ended slavery prior to the US; the effects transcended.

Moving forward my hope is that my colleagues and other entrepreneurs will use June 19th to:

  • Reflect on our countries past and put in work towards creating a better future
  • Invest time in learning about the history and impact of slavery, segregation & racism (Resources)
  • Donate time to work with groups, associations, organizations supporting Black people
  • Inform and educate others on Juneteenth and why it’s celebrated (History)
  • Celebrate Juneteenth with family, friends, associates and community members

The official Juneteenth policy:

  • Juneteenth must be observed on June 19th
  • Our offices will be closed
  • Employees will be paid for the day
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Ross Simmonds

Ross Simmonds is a digital marketing strategist who has worked with everything from Fortune 500 companies to startups to drive results using digital marketing and technology.

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Cathy Jacob
Cathy Jacob
3 years ago

Thank you, Ross, for this. Really helpful overview.

Steven Benton
Steven Benton
3 years ago

Good morning Mr Simmonds,
Thank you for your reminder and well written/research article!!!

Serena Martin
3 years ago

Informative, Thanks for sharing this huge collection. Good Job. Keep going on.

Joshua Luukkonen
Joshua Luukkonen
3 years ago

Hi there! I found this when doing some research to share with my Grade 9 students about Juneteenth today. I appreciate this post and the work you put into it to share this message. I hope my students get to learn a little bit more about the real history of Canada. Thank you!

Kathleen Burke
Kathleen Burke
3 years ago

I am from Aficville and remember how as growing up you were looked after and cared for by everyone and chestier by the older people and you showed respect I have been gone for over 50 years but have not forgotten my roots.

Thank you
Kathleen Williams

Elle
Elle
3 years ago

Love this article, thank you for highlighting that Canada too played a role.

JL Schmidt
JL Schmidt
3 years ago

Thank you, Ross.

Karen Schneider
Karen Schneider
3 years ago

Thank you for this article, some of the information in here I knew, but the date of closure of the last segregated school in Canada was new and disturbing information, as was the segregation of public spaces like swimming pools. I will bring this new understanding forward with me.

Duncan Holt
Duncan Holt
3 years ago

Thanks for this Ross. I grew up as a white British immigrant in Halifax but never went to Africville, or Beechville. I was fearful of spending time on Gottingen Street. I finally met Doug Ruck on my first day at UKC in 1969. It was love at first sight. We laughed at the craziest infantile stuff. Thanks for the information that was not part of my young Halifax. I now live in the UK where a different kind of racism is common and still needs to be addressed dailydunca.

Eily Davidson
Eily Davidson
3 years ago

Dear Ross, When I read your piece I was both inspired and excited. I want it to be shared with as many people as possible. I’m asking your permission to share the link to your Juneteenth piece on my Instagram account. I’m a grandma so I don’t have a lot of followers, but the young people that do follow me have wide reach to share valuable information. And it’s very good information for my older followers too, lol I am also asking permission to post a photo of you that will work on Instagram along with the link. I want… Read more »

J. Corkery
J. Corkery
3 years ago

Thank you for the graphic above that shows the length of slavery and then segregation, compared to the time since those changes. It’s VERY impactful and I have printed it and put it on my office door. I work as a RN at a children’s hospital so I hope many see it and are affected by it. I put it up to remind me of the suffering, the inequities, and the dehumanizing of black people within Nova Scotia, the province I call home. I am Caucasian and I feel an immense sense of guilt, anger, and powerlessness thinking about how… Read more »

Lynn Jones
Lynn Jones
3 years ago

Thanks so Much my brother!
You are far ahead in your Africentric thought process then most.
Sounds like you next posting will address REPARATIONS!!!!
You’ve demonstrated what it takes to put truth to power.
I say- REPARATIONS NOW!!
I salut you.
🙏🏿🙏🏿🙏🏿
Lynn Jones

albert crane
albert crane
3 years ago

Do you believe the 11th of November should be a paid holiday with respect for the thousands of men and women who had fought and died in the Great Wars and other conflicts for Canada?

Marian Mckennon
Marian Mckennon
2 years ago

This is amazing, how many people actually know that slavery existed in Canada for as long as 206 yrs. While this knowledge is shocking, it doesn’t change the fact that Canada did provide a safe haven for escaped enslaved people. I guess one has to take the good n the bad.

Angie Patrick
Angie Patrick
2 years ago

Thank you for posting this information. We must not bury the reality of what happened to the black community. You’re an inspiration for others to be better humans and make a difference in their communities.

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So while many of our History books have ignored the realities of racism and the impacts of slavery in Canada.

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