THE GOVERNMENT OF CANADA COMMEMORATES THE WEST INDIAN DOMESTIC SCHEME,
1955-1967, AS AN IMMIGRATION PROGRAM THROUGH WHICH AROUND 3,000 WOMEN
FROM CARIBBEAN COUNTRIES CAME TO CANADA, CONTRIBUTING TO THE GROWTH OF
CARIBBEAN CULTURE IN CANADA
Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth and Member of
Parliament for Toronto Centre, Marci Ien, commemorated the national historic
significance of the West Indian Domestic Scheme, 1955–1967, at a
special plaque unveiling ceremony at Blackhurst Cultural Centre in
Toronto, Ontario. The unveiling was made on behalf of the Honourable
Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change and
Minister responsible for Parks Canada.
Beginning in 1955, the West Indian Domestic Scheme was a targeted
immigration program through which women from Caribbean countries came
to Canada to be employed as domestic workers. At a time when
government policies limited the entry of non-white immigrants, the
program offered women from the Caribbean the opportunity to become
landed immigrants, and eventually, Canadian citizens. The participants
in this program faced strict age and educational requirements, and
they had to be single and pass a medical examination – a higher
level of scrutiny compared to other immigration programs at the
time.
Around 3,000 women participated in the program. Once accepted, women
had the opportunity to select their preferred destination, with most
choosing Toronto or Montréal. Upon arrival in Canada, the women
experienced difficult work conditions, cultural differences,
isolation, and racial discrimination. They often worked longer hours
while receiving lower pay than had been promised. After a year of
domestic work, the women were granted landed immigrant status and they
could pursue educational and employment opportunities in other fields.
They were also able to sponsor family members’ permanent residency in
Canada. As a result, the West Indian Domestic Scheme contributed to
the growth of Caribbean culture in Canada, especially in Toronto and
Montréal. Many domestic workers became leaders in various
professional pursuits, including the Honourable Jean Augustine, a
teacher who migrated from Grenada to Canada in 1960 and in 1993 became
the first Black Canadian woman elected to the House of Commons. The
West Indian Domestic Scheme was discontinued in 1968 as Canada’s
immigration policy moved to a points-based system.
The Government of Canada, through Parks Canada and the Historic Sites
and Monuments Board of Canada, recognizes significant people, places,
and events that shaped this country as one way of helping Canadians
connect with their past. By sharing these stories with Canadians, we
hope to foster understanding and reflection on the diverse histories,
cultures, legacies, and realities of Canada’s past and present.
The designation process under Parks Canada’s National Program of
Historical Commemoration is largely driven by public nominations. To
date, more than 2,260 designations have been made nationwide. To
nominate a person, place or historic event in your community, please
visit the Parks Canada website for more information:
https://www.pc.gc.ca/en/
QUOTES
“The West Indian Domestic Scheme changed the lives of thousands of
Caribbean women who came to Canada looking for a better future. They
faced discrimination, worked incredibly hard, and yet still found ways
to thrive and build strong communities, bringing the vibrancy of
Caribbean culture to their new home. Today, we recognize their
struggles, celebrate the achievements of the Caribbean Canadian
community, and acknowledge the continued importance of addressing
racism in Canada.”
The Honourable Steven Guilbeault,
/Minister of Environment and Climate Change and Minister responsible
for Parks Canada/
“As we celebrate Black legacy and leadership, it is only fitting to
celebrate the women who came to Canada through the West Indian
Domestic Scheme. As they fought to be something bigger than what the
policy prescribed for them, their legacy of Black leadership, wit, and
determination inspire us to this day. This plaque is a representation
not only of Caribbean culture in Canada – it represents the strength
and resilience of Black women who paved the way for many generations.”
The Honourable Marci Ien,
/Minister for Women and Gender Equality and //Youth and Member of
Parliament for Toronto Centre /
QUICK FACTS
* Per the 2016 census, nearly 750,000 Canadians have Caribbean
origins, with the majority having immigrated to Canada after 1971. The
women who came to Canada through the West Indian Domestic Scheme were
the earliest arrivals in what would become a wave of Caribbean
immigration in the second half of the 20th century.
* The Honourable Jean Augustine migrated to Canada in 1960 from
Grenada through the West Indian Domestic Scheme. Following her year
working in domestic labour, she enrolled at the University of Toronto
where she earned a Bachelor of Arts and Master of Education before
becoming a principal and getting involved in community activism. In
1993, she was the first Black Canadian woman elected to the House of
Commons and was appointed to a Cabinet post in 2002.
* The Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada plaque
commemorating the West Indian Domestic Scheme was unveiled in Toronto
which is situated on the Treaty Land and traditional territory of
the Mississaugas of the Credit First Nation, as well as the
traditional territory of the Anishinaabeg, the Chippewa, the
Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat peoples.
* Created in 1919, the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada
advises the Minister of Environment and Climate Change regarding the
national significance of persons, places, and events that have marked
Canada’s history. Together with Parks Canada, the Board ensures that
subjects of national historic significance are recognized under Parks
Canada’s National Program of Historical Commemoration and these
important stories are shared with Canadians.
* Parks Canada is committed to working with Canadians in our efforts
to tell broader, more inclusive stories in the places that it manages.
In support of this goal, the Framework for History and Commemoration
outlines a comprehensive, and engaging approach to sharing Canada’s
history through diverse perspectives, including shedding light on
tragic and difficult periods of Canada’s past.
