The Origins of Segregation of African Canadians
African Canadian immigrants from around the world have been attracted to Canada by the promise of freedom to live, work, worship, study, maintain cultural traditions, and be involved in the daily activities of one's community. However, there were barriers to their participation that they did not create. The colour of their skin immediately indicated that they were enslaved people, or the descendants of enslaved people, and the negative attitudes of ordinary people as well as those in high office have affected how well African Canadian people have been able to achieve the dream of equality and freedom.
While Canada did not have legal segregation, there were always "understandings" about which neighbourhoods African Canadian people could live in, or where they could worship. Most professional organizations, sports, schools, unions, and trade associations would not admit African Canadian people; stores would not hire them; restaurants, theatres, and skating rinks did not permit African-Canadians; and hotels would not rent rooms to African-Canadians no matter how famous they were. The 1850 law that created separate Catholic schools also facilitated the creation of separate Black schools; the last one closed in the 1960s.
Human rights laws developed as a means of trying to ensure that social equity was upheld by employers, landlords, and institutions. They helped to create change through legislation since those who disobeyed the law could face stiff penalties. During these tumultuous times, many ordinary African- Canadians rose up and helped lead their people to freedom. Without their contributions ad personal sacrifices, Canada would not be the way it is now.
While Canada did not have legal segregation, there were always "understandings" about which neighbourhoods African Canadian people could live in, or where they could worship. Most professional organizations, sports, schools, unions, and trade associations would not admit African Canadian people; stores would not hire them; restaurants, theatres, and skating rinks did not permit African-Canadians; and hotels would not rent rooms to African-Canadians no matter how famous they were. The 1850 law that created separate Catholic schools also facilitated the creation of separate Black schools; the last one closed in the 1960s.
Human rights laws developed as a means of trying to ensure that social equity was upheld by employers, landlords, and institutions. They helped to create change through legislation since those who disobeyed the law could face stiff penalties. During these tumultuous times, many ordinary African- Canadians rose up and helped lead their people to freedom. Without their contributions ad personal sacrifices, Canada would not be the way it is now.
Map of the major routes to freedom taken by slaves. Between 1815 and 1865, tens of thousands of African-Americans sought refugee in Upper and Lower Canada via the Underground Railroad.
