Did Canada have segregation?
(spoiler: yes, we did)
CONTEXT:
Chattel Slavery in Canada started in the 1600s —reports indicate that the first enslaved person to be brought to Canada was in 1629 by the French. After centuries of Europeans accumulating all that wealth from unpaid and inhumane labour, slavery ended in Canada when it was abolished in the British Empire in 1834 (nearly 205 years later).
Of course, the end of slavery didn't mean the end of racial discrimination. Until 1977 in Canada, it was predominantly legal and quite normal to racially discriminate against Black and other racialized folks (For 143 years after the abolishment of slavery).
It's actually only been 46 years since it became illegal to racially discriminate.
Racial Segregation always felt like it was an American problem, but because we know that our origin stories as settler colonies are the same, we thought we'd look into segregation — turns out it was totally a thing in Canada too.
Examples of Segregation in Canada:
Legally separated schools — the last segregated school in Ontario closed in 1965, and in 1983 in Nova Scotia
In provinces where segregation didn't legally exist anymore, white families would use their influence to ensure Black children couldn't go to the same school as their kids
Black people who fought against significant systemic barriers to education were then rejected on the basis of race. Medical schools at Dalhousie, Toronto, McGill, and Queens were notorious for this
Despite having won the right to vote, Black people were prevented from accessing voting stations by white people
Examples of Segregation in Canada:
Red-lining: discrimination in accessing 'choice' neighbourhoods through restrictive banking/mortgages, rentals, developments*
A Windsor, Ontario theatre maintained a “Crow’s nest” for Black customers, in reference to Jim Crow segregation laws
White barbers were known to refuse to cut Black men’s hair
Segregated swimming pools and other social spaces
Even in death, Black people could experience segregation via cemeteries that excluded them
*Did you know:
A clause used in Vancouver real estate deeds, until as late as 1965 said, "That the Grantee or his heirs[...] will not sell to, agree to sell to, rent to, lease to, or permit or allow to occupy, the said lands and premises, or any part thereof, any person of the Chinese, Japanese or other Asiatic race or to any Indian or Negro."
So Canada did have segregation (and enslaved Black peoples for 100s of years) and neither of these were really taught to us in school.
Which by the way is immediately sus, and should feel that way to anyone and everyone who believes in (any form of) equality.
There are people alive today who went to segregated schools, who advocated for Black people to be excluded, or wouldn't shop/eat/go to places where Black people were allowed in, which further encouraged businesses to continue segregating spaces.
And perhaps most importantly:
There are people today who didn't actively advocate to exclude Black (and other racialized) people but they also didn't actively support advocacy efforts to end racial segregation.
"The only thing necessary for evil to triumph in the world is that good men do nothing."
As Millennials and Gen Z grew up in integrated spaces, the vast majority of our teachers, parents, bosses, politicians, and leaders all experienced a very different Canada from what we were being taught about in school.
And yet, we were still taught about Canada as this idyllic post-racism world. A world where we do not see colour (vomit) and everyone is "equal". Most of our history lessons excluded stories of segregated schools
How did we actively ensure that these systems that were designed to exclude and discriminate against Black, Indigenous and other marginalized communities would now be safe and accessible to everyone?
Because when you get rid of a law, that doesn't mean the behaviours and culture change. For example: saying women are equal hasn't made it safe for women to walk home at night.
So what was the plan to make sure the new law was upheld in every way?
Because it would be at best negligent and irresponsible of our leaders, and at worst, an intentional effort to placate BIPOC and white allies while maintaining the status quo.
If we did something one way for over 300 years, changing a law wouldn't magically undo the culture in our country. Did our leaders really think we could go from "back of the bus" to "it's illegal to racially discriminate" overnight?
And look, have social norms changed since 1977? Yes, and thank god for it - and while many white people have become allies to racialized folks, that doesn't mean racism is gone.
It just looks different than it did before. Because now, you can't legally tell BIPOC we can't sit in your restaurant - which means racially excluding BIPOC has to be a lot more covert.
Today in this country we still see overt, covert, legal and illegal segregation based on class/economic standing.
And because of the historic and ongoing systemic oppression, neglect, exclusion, and discrimination experienced by Black and Indigenous peoples by our government and society, Black and Indigenous peoples are some of the most economically disadvantaged peoples, and as such, are more likely to be economically excluded (read: segregated) in our society.
Segregation and discrimination continue in:
Houselessness & the housing crisis
Lack of access to shelter, clean water or food
The criminal legal system and the carceral industrial complex
Child welfaree
Lack of diversity at senior leadership tables (requires access to education) + the expectation and normalization of code-switching
Lack of free/affordable prescription drugs, mental health and addictions resources
Lack of comprehensive disability supports
Lack of guaranteed livable income
A disappearing social safety net
Systemic underfunding of public services to justify privatization in our healthcare system and create a for-profit, two-tier system in provinces like Ontario, Alberta, etc., resulting in different levels of care and health outcomes for the rich and poor.
