RRCLibrary: Anti-Racism Learning Toolkit: History of Racism in Canada

History of Racism in Canada

According to the Canadian Race Relations Foundation (CCRF), some of the many incidents, legislations, movements, genocide, etc. that inform how systemic racism currently operates in Canada, include:

Colonialism and Colonization

Slavery (1628 - 1800s)

Indian Act (1876 - Present)

Residential Schools (1886 - 1996)

Immigration Policies

Chinese Head Tax (1885 - 1949)

Refusing entry to South Asians (1914)

Exclusion of Jewish Refugees (1939)

Japanese Internment Camps (1941 - 1949)

Source: Systemic Racism in Canada online course (Canadian Race Relations Foundation). Course developed by Carl E. James & Julia Samaroo (York University). Learn more about this course.

Picture: Slavey girls, Mackenzie River, Northwest Territories (NWT). (Wikipedia)

Featured Titles

Race, Racialization and Antiracism in Canada and Beyond by Genevieve Fuji Johnson (Editor); Randy Enomoto (Editor)
Location: eBook
Publication Date: 2016
The intent of Race, Racialization, and Antiracism in Canada and Beyond is to probe systemic forms of racism, as well as to suggest strategies for addressing them.
Race and Racism: Canada's Challenge by Leo Driedger; Shiva Halli
Location: eBook
Publication Date: 2000
Race and Racism brings together critical contributions from the academic and government sectors that analyse the nature and extent of racism in Canada. The broad spectrum of social scientific approaches represented here - sociology, cultural anthropology, demography, and psychology - and an equal emphasis on quantitative and qualitative methods make this study a particularly rich source for scholars and policy makers alike.
Racism in Canada by Vic Satzewich
Location: FC 104 .S2893 2010 (Notre Dame Campus)
There are widely divergent views about racism in Canada. Some believe that racism is a fundamental feature of Canadian society and national identity. This dystopian view of Canada as a fundamentally and irrevocably racist society carries considerable currency in some academic and activist circles. Others argue that racism is oversold as a social problem: while pockets of racism do exist, Canada remains a fundamentally fair place for people of diverse backgrounds to prosper and flourish.Vic Satzewich's short and accessible book explores how racism operates in Canadian society, past and present. Racism is a complex aspect of Canadian society; while it may not be an inherent and invariant feature of our country, it is also more prevalent than many people may realize.

Featured Videos

Exposing Hate: Are Hate Crimes on the Rise in Canada?
A CBC News investigation discovered that there were nearly 1,800 hate crimes reported last year.That number likely doesn’t tell the whole story. Inaccurate reporting and different classifications make a true calculation nearly impossible. Nonetheless, hate seems to be growing across this country. Warning: The video for this News in Review story contains scenes of violence. Please prepare students for the video content and for topics that will be discussed.
How Tolerant Are Canadians?
Canada is a multicultural country where people of many races and backgrounds live in harmony together. Most of us are proud of our diversity, and like to think we live in a country where prejudice isn’t a problem. But how tolerant are we? In this News in Review story we’ll look at how a racist incident shocked a community. We’ll ask pollsters and ordinary Canadians whether we should be doing more to fight intolerance.
Missing, Murdered, Mishandled: Systemic Racism in Canada's Justice System?
Can Indigenous individuals receive fair treatment in Canada’s policing and courts system? Three high profile cases — the acquittal of the accused killers in the deaths of Colten Boushie and Tina Fontaine, as well as the mishandled investigation into the death of Stacy DeBungee — have highlighted the harsh reality of our justice system when it comes to Indigenous people.
One woman’s resistance: Viola Desmond
In November 1946, hair salon owner Viola Desmond went to a film at the Roseland Theatre in New Glasgow, Nova Scotia. But what began as a night at the movies became a night in prison.
Only in Canada: Rocky Jones
The National puts the spotlight on Burnley Allan "Rocky" Jones, a man remembered for his unflinching dedication to civil and human rights in Nova Scotia. A prominent Halifax lawyer, he was lauded for his advocacy on behalf of black and aboriginal Nova Scotians. Among the many causes he championed, he fought racism in the justice system and took a lead role in the creation of an education program for blacks and Mi'kmaq people at the Dalhousie Law School.
Scathing report finds systemic racism in Thunder Bay's police force
In a scathing report, Ontario's independent police watchdog says systemic racism exists throughout the Thunder Bay Police Service. It goes on to state that the "inadequacy" of at least nine investigations into the deaths of Indigenous people over the past several years was "so problematic" that they should be reopened.
What systemic racism in Canada looks like
The police killing of George Floyd and the protests that followed have brought renewed attention to systemic racism. In Canada, some have been quick to deny its existence. But these experts say racism has been normalized within Canadian institutions.
Who Do We Think We Are?
The face of Canada is changing rapidly. One in three Canadians will belong to a visible minority by 2031, according to Stats Can. Once largely a nation of staid rural folk, today much of our population lives in competitive, fast-paced urban centres. And our economy, like all those of developed countries, is on the brink of a major green shift. Or is it? In this package of three mini-documentaries, The National investigates our assumptions about ourselves as a society, what Canadians are getting right and where we need improvement.
Racism: Problems and Solutions
Racism: Problems and Solutions Documentaries are a series of videos highlighting the personal stories of individuals who have dealt with racism and discrimination. The series is intended to inspire conversation and generate support for continued advocacy.

Featured Articles

Canada's race problem? It's even worse than America's (Maclean's)
Scott GIlmore writes about Canada's image as a progressive, tolerant nation and uncovers the ways it mirrors the United States. What sets Canada apart, he writes, 'we have a far worse race problem than the United States. We just can’t see it very easily.'
How Canada tries to hide its racism by pointing a finger at the U.S. (Canada's National Observer)
Nora Loreto examines race relations in Canada in light of George Floyd's death. While Canda wants to believe it's not like it's southern neighbours, history and every day life prove otherwise.
Navigating systemic racism in Canadian healthcare (Healthy Debate)
Authors Ngozi Iroanyah and Mady Cyr introduces readers to the ways the health system treats the Black community. From pain treatment to sickle cell disease, the writers chart how something as simple as pain relief exposes bias at the expense of Black patient care.

Web Resources

Building a Foundation for Change: Canada’s Anti-Racism Strategy 2019–2022
From October 2018 to March 2019, engagement sessions were held across the country to gather input from Canadians, especially those with lived experiences of racism and discrimination, in order to help inform the development of a new federal anti-racism strategy. The engagement process consisted of 22 in-person forums that welcomed approximately 600 people and 443 organizations.
Race Relations in Canada 2019 Survey
The Environics Institute for Survey Research and the Canadian Race Relations Foundation released the Race Relations in Canada 2019 Survey, a new national survey of Canadians that is the first of its kind to cover race relations across the country.
Racism in Canada Timeline
A timeline about racism in Canada spanning from the 1600s to today.
Stories from the Canadian Museum of Human Rights
Stories that explore contemporary and historic human rights stories, from Canada and around the world.