Black Canadians
Black Canadians have made vital contributions to Canadian society since the early seventeenth century. They built thriving communities despite the challenges of racism and fought as Canadian soldiers in the World Wars.
Black Canadians made significant contributions to the First and Second World Wars, facing racism to serve their country. Black soldiers served in various roles, from combat to essential labour like logging, road building and trench digging, with approximately 1,300 soldiers serving in World War One and several thousand in World War Two. They also supported the war effort on the Home Front through factory work and fundraising. Their service was vital in helping to shift attitudes toward visible minorities.
Building communities
People of African descent have been in Canada since the early seventeenth century. Some of the early Black Canadian population included Loyalists and formerly enslaved people who left the United States. Despite facing racism and discrimination, they built successful schools, churches and businesses. Amherstburg, Windsor and Chatham are just a few of the many places in Ontario that share in this history.
Did you know?
Slavery was legal and practiced in Canada until 1834. Learn more about the recorded history of slavery and abolition in Ontario on our Black history topic page.
Segregated soldiers
Some Black Canadians participated in the War of 1812, and many wanted to fight for Canada in World War One. However, Black men were not allowed to join the Canadian military. This changed when the No. 2 Construction Battalion was formed in July 1916. This segregated battalion was responsible for manual labour. Some of their tasks included clearing roads, digging trenches and building bridges.
The Overseas Comfort Club
The Overseas Comfort Club sent clothes, food and other supplies to Black soldiers abroad during the First World War. This club was centred in Toronto, and later became the Home Service Association. The Home Service Association provided welfare services for Toronto’s Black communities until 1965.
Free to join
In the Second World War, African Canadians were allowed to join the military. These Black soldiers participated in both combatant and noncombatant groups throughout the conflict.
Hidden history spotlight
Private Lorne Morrison served in the Royal Canadian Army Service Corps until January 21, 1946. His brother Aubrey Morrison served in the Royal Canadian Corps of Signals. The Morrison family has a history in Ontario dating back to the 1880s. Lorne’s and Aubrey’s stories are documented in the Wilma Morrison fonds (F 4721). Without Wilma’s archival work, Lorne’s and Aubrey’s contributions would have been forgotten.
Interested to learn about other people like the Morrison brothers? Black Canadian Veterans Stories (an online resource provided by Veterans Affairs Canada) highlights the experiences of Black Canadians in the military.
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Japanese Canadians
Next up: Chapter 03
Canadian Women
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