On August 12, 1911, the Canadian government issued its infamous Order in Council to limit Black immigration to Canada. The purpose of the order was to ban Black persons from entering Canada for a period of one year, supposedly for the reason that “the Negro race … is deemed unsuitable to the climate and requirements of Canada.” Canadian Encyclopedia Order-in-Council P.C. 1911
Later policies also targeted Black immigrants. The West Indian Domestic Scheme induced approximately 3,000 Caribbean women to emigrate to Canada as domestic workers starting around 1955. The participants faced harsh work conditions and discrimination. The benefit to participants was devalued in January 1968 to provide only temporary work permits rather than landed immigrant status.
