Black History Month 2023 Poster – Government of Canada

By: Jaden Chiang

This year’s theme for Black History Month is “Ours To Tell,” encouraging an opportunity to engage in conversation and committing to learning more about the stories of Black communities in Canada. This month, let’s take the time to honour the legacy of Black Canadians and how they continue to shape our history.

Since the arrival of Mathieu Da Costa, a navigator and interpreter, in the early 1600s, Black Canadians have largely shaped Canada’s heritage and identity. Black communities continued to grow as many settlers and Loyalists of the American Revolution were of African descent, with many of whom settled in the Maritimes. There is no doubt that Black individuals faced discrimination, being given smaller land plots, fewer provisions, being expected to work for lower wages, and far more. Slowly but surely, anti-slavery movements contributed to the abolition of African enslavement in Canada in the late 1700s, and the Act on the Abolition of Slave Trade in the British Empire abolished enslavement in most British Colonies in including Canada in 1833.

Throughout the 1800s, approximately 30,000 Black people came to Canada via the Underground Railroad. Black communities were established, and later grew following the War of 1812 when deserted Black Americans settled in Canada.

Throughout the 18th century, many organizations and policies that discriminated against people of African and Caribbean descent were abolished or reformed, while Black communities were shaping their own identities and making significant contributions to Canadian society.

In 1978, founders of the Ontario Black History Society (OBHS) presented a petition to the City of Toronto to have February officially proclaimed as Black History Month, and it was successfully filed in Ontario in 1993. Rosemary Sadlier, president of the OBHS, introduced the idea of recognizing Black History Month across Canada to the Hon. Jean Augustine, the first Black Canadian woman elected to Parliament. Two years later, following the motion introduced by Dr. Augustine, the House of Commons unanimously carried the motion to recognize Black History Month across Canada.

In February 2008, Senator Donald Oliver, the first Black man appointed to the Senate, introduced the motion to recognize contributions of Black Canadians during Black History Month. It received unanimous approval and was adopted on March 4, 2008. This month, we invite you to reflect on this history and research into the accomplishments of Black people and Canadians.

Works Cited
“About Black History Month.” Canada.ca, https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/black-history-month/about.html. Accessed 12 February 2023.
“February is Black History Month.” Canada.ca, 2 February 2023, https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/black-history-month.html. Accessed 12 February 2023.
“Significant events in Black history in Canada.” Canada.ca, https://www.canada.ca/en/canadian-heritage/campaigns/black-history-month/historic-black-communities.html. Accessed 12 February 2023.