Canada's Discriminatory Past

  • First Black Person Arrives in Canada

    The first black person is known as Mathieu Da Costa arrives in Canada as a translator.
  • The First Enslaved African

    The first enslaved African to go to Canada was a six-year-old boy, the property of Sir David Kirke. He was sold and passed around to different people several times.
  • The Death of Marie-Joseph Angelique

    Marie-Joseph Angelique set her master's house on fire and it destroyed many homes in Montreal. She was then tortured and hung as a lesson.
  • The First Race-Riot in Canada

    Many black loyalists were attacked by their white neighbours. The white neighbours destroyed their homes and the people who escaped, were pursued by the whites. White mobs attempted to remove all of the African communities.
  • Facing Widespread Discrimination

    Many black loyalists were now convinced that they couldn't support themselves while facing discrimination. In Nova Scotia, many thought they wouldn't find freedom or equality. About 1,200 black people left and relocated to Sierra Leone.
  • The Selling of Slaves

    The Russell family sold their slaves due to their behaviour. They put up an advertisement in the Upper Canadian press to sell their slaves.
  • The Opening of The Mohawk Institute

    The Mohawk Institue becomes the first school apart of the Canadian residential school system to open. Only boys were allowed to attend here but later on, girls were allowed to attend.
  • Abolishing Slavery

    Throughout the British Colonies, slavery was now abolished by the Imperial Act and this freed around 500,000 slaves.
  • The Chinese Miners Arrive in Canada

    Chinese miners arrive in British Columbia after being informed that gold has been discovered in the Fraser Valley.
  • Voting in Elections

    Chinese were banned from voting in the elections.
  • The Indian Act

    The Indian Act is passed and the main goal of this was to force the First Nations to lose their culture and become people like European-Canadians. The act included many discriminatory rules.
  • Manzo Nagano, The First Japanese to Settle in Canada

    Manzo Nagano was the first known individual to land and settle in Canada. He ran a gift shop, Japanese food store, and hotel in Victoria B.C.
  • The Construction of a Railway

    About 15,000 Chinese are hired to finish the Canadian Pacific Railway in British Columbia. The working conditions here were terrible.
  • The Authorization of Residential Schools

    John A. MacDonald authorizes the establishment of the residential school system in Canada. These schools were designed to isolate indigenous kids from their families and to remove them from their culture.
  • The Head Tax Fee

    The Chinese Immigration Act of 1885 requires that all Chinese entering Canada must pay a head tax of $50 per person.
  • The Finishing of The Railway

    Once the Canadian Pacific Railway was finished, all the Chinese workers were told to leave and go back where they came from.
  • Citizens of Asian Descent are Denied of Their Franchises

    The citizens of Asian descent are denied their franchises by the government of British Columbia.
  • The Rapid Growth of The Residential Schools

    By this time there were now over 40 residential schools opened all across Canada. The schools were overcrowded and this led to an increase in illnesses in the institutions.
  • The Head Tax Fee

    The Head Tax Fee was no raised to $500 per person.
  • An Anti-Asian Riot in Vancouver

    An Anti-Asian riot happens in Vancouver involving the Chinese and Japanese. Lots of destruction, violence, and chaos are caused.
  • The Health at The Residential Schools

    The Indigenous children at the residential schools are dying at a fast rate. The mortality rate of enrolled students reached a high of 25 percent and this percentage increases to 69 percent after students leave school.
  • The Anti-Black Campaign

    Hundreds of Oklahoma Blacks in Canada were still facing discrimination. The newspapers in Winnipeg predicted that the Dominion Government would begin to exclude "black immigrants".
  • Raiding Cafes

    Lots of soldiers and civilians went and raided 6 Chinese ran cafes. They destroyed the furniture and looted the cash and gold
  • Residential Schools are Now Mandatory

    Attending residential schools is now mandatory for First Nations children aged 7 to 16.
  • Chinese Students

    School trustees in Victoria, British Columbia, attempted to remove all of the Chinese students from their schools and relocate them into a separate school.
  • The Ban of Chinese Immigration

    The Chinese Immigration Act of 1923 which was also known as the Chinese Exclusion Act, bans Chinese immigration to Canada.
  • Amendment to the Gentlemen's Agreement

    The Gentlemen's Agreement meant that no more than 150 Japanese are allowed to immigrate to Canada.
  • The Growth of Residential Schools

    The number of residential schools in Canada grows to more than 80 with an enrolment of over 17,000/
  • The Japanese Community is Closely Being Watched

    The RCMP kept an eye on the Japanese community and no subversive activity is recorded.
  • War is Declared

    Canada declares war with Germany.
  • Japanese Aren't Allowed to Volunteer for Armed Services

    The Cabinet War Committee recommends that the Japanese shouldn't be allowed to volunteer for armed services on grounds where there is a strong public opinion towards them.
  • War is Declared

    Canada declares war with Japan after Pearl Harbour is attacked.
  • The Boats are Taken Away

    1,200 fishing boats are impounded, Japanese language, newspapers, and schools are closed
  • Internment Camps in Canada

    About 21,000 Japanese were sent to the internment camps causing many families to be torn apart and many things were taken away. Many died in the camps. The living conditions in these internment camps were harsh.
  • The Racial Discrimination Act

    Ontario becomes the first province to pass the Racial Discrimination Act of 1944. This prohibited the publication and showing of any symbols or signs that displayed racial, ethnic, or religious discrimination.
  • Japan Surrenders

    An atom bomb is dropped on Hiroshima, causing the surrender of Japan.
  • Deportation

    Many Japanese are deported and sent back to their own country.
  • The Return to Japan

    Boats are now bringing exiled Japanese Canadians to Japan.
  • The Extension of The Franchises

    The citizenship act extends the franchise to the people but this excludes the Japanese.
  • Restrictions on Chinese Immigration

    The Chinese Exclusion Act is revoked after World War 2 but there are still some restrictions to immigration. Chinese-Canadians are not allowed to bring their children that are over 18 years of age.
  • The Adoption of First Nations Children

    Over the few decades, thousands of First Nations children are taken from their homes and put up for adoption for non-indigenous families. This happened after amendments to the Indian Act gives provinces the official power of making legal decisions over child welfare on reserves.
  • The First Black Person Elected to a Canadian Parliament

    In 1936, Leonard Braithwaite became the African-American to be elected as the Liberal member for Etobicoke, Ontario.
  • The Demolishing of Africville

    In the years 1964-1970, Africville residents were relocated and their community was destroyed. The community lacked basic services like water, sewage, and good quality roads.
  • The Imperial Statute

    The Imperial Statute let settlers bring slaves to upper Canada. The Statute says that the slaves must-have clothing and be fed.
  • The Closing of Residential Schools

    By this date, there are now 28 residential schools still operating in Canada with thousands of indigenous students enrolled.
  • Apologies

    By this date, apologies, compensation, and acknowledgement are given to the Japanese-Canadians who lived in discrimination.
  • The Oka Crisis

    Canada wants to remove the Mohawks from their land to expand a golf course and add new buildings.
  • The End of Residential Schools

    The last federally operated residential school located in Punnichy, Saskatchewan closes. Residential schools wanted to get rid of all aspects of Aboriginal culture. This made many first nations children feel out of place and disconnected from their culture.
  • The First Black Governor

    Michaëlle Jean was announced as the first black governor-general of Canada.
  • An Apology to The Chinese from Stephen Harper

    Stephen Harper formally apologizes to the Chinese-Canadians for the Chinese Head Tax, the Chinese Exclusion Act, the discrimination, and for all the bad that was done to the Chinese.
  • An Apology Over Residential Schools

    On behalf of the Government of Canada, Stephen Harper gives a formal apology to the former students, families, and communities for Canada's role in the residential schools.
  • Peter Kelly Apologizes to Africville

    Mayor Peter Kelly apologizes to the former residents of Africville. He also apologizes for the loss of their community and for what was done.