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There were only about 2,000 settlers. Samuel de Champlain brought over 100 settlers, and Jean Talon started a strong immigration policy to bring more people. This was the beginning of building the New France colony.

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The Archbishop of Lima announced that native people of Peru may no longer perform their traditional songs or dances. All musical instruments were burned terribly. There were punishments for those who disobeyed.

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Juan Maldonado, a judge, declared it illegal for Indigenous people to do their traditional dances. Anyone caught disobeying would be punished with 100 lashes. This law was part of efforts to suppress Indigenous culture and control the people.

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Olivier Le Jeune was the first Black person documented in New France. He was brought here as a child and was enslaved. This moment shows that Black people have been part of Canada’s history from the very beginning, and it reminds us of the long struggle against racial injustice. His story matters.

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The population had grown to 6,000 settlers. The colony was slowly expanding with more families arriving to settle and work in New France.

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France passed a law to regulate slavery across its colonies.

Meant Black people in New France had no legal protection

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New settlers’ population rose to 15,000. More immigrants came to build farms and towns, growing the colony steadily.

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Two groups shaped the land: French colonizers who were already here, and British colonizers who arrived after defeating the French.

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After defeating the French, the British became the new colonizers. The population grew to around 60,000–70,000. Thousands came from the U.S.—early ones were loyalists and elitists from the American Revolution. About 30,000 refugees moved to Nova Scotia, while 10,000 settled in Quebec and farmed west of old New France.

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1760–1812, Loyalist Arrival and British Expansion

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1760–1812, Loyalist Arrival and British Expansion

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After the French defeat, British colonizers established their presence in the region. Many immigrants came from the United States—early Loyalists fleeing the revolution and others arriving afterward. About 30,000 refugees settled in Nova Scotia, while 10,000 moved to Quebec, claiming farmland west of former New France.

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Black people fought for Britain in the U.S. Revolution to escape slavery.

After the war, about 2,000 were resettled in Nova Scotia and New Brunswick — including Ontario.

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German and French immigrants from the U.S. settled in Markham and Waterloo. Scottish settlers built roots around Lake St. Clair. By 1791, the population hit 40,000 — and doubled to 90,000 in just twenty years.

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Chloe Cooley, an enslaved Black woman, was violently sold across the Niagara River. Her abduction sparked outrage, and witnesses pushed the government to act. It led to the Act to Limit Slavery, which stopped slave imports and began the journey toward abolition.

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Indigenous children were taken from their families and forced into church-run schools across Canada. They weren’t allowed to speak their languages or practice their culture. Many faced abuse, and thousands never made it home. This system left deep scars that communities are still healing from.

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The War of 1812 boosted confidence and opened the door for growth. Lord Selkirk set up a Scottish colony near what’s now Winnipeg, helping build new western communities.

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Many American Blacks escaped slavery and came to Canada as fugitive slaves or freedmen. They built strong communities in southwestern Ontario and the Maritimes.

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About 50,000 Black refugees escaped slavery in the U.S. and arrived in Ontario and the Maritimes.

They built schools, churches, farms — and strong communities.

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Thornton and Lucie Blackburn escaped slavery in the U.S. and reached Canada through the Underground Railroad. When the U.S. tried to take them back, Canada refused. Their case helped prove that Canada stood for freedom and justice.

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Canada's immigrant population soared from 90,000 in 1812 to 400,000 by 1838—fueling rapid settlement, farmland development, and urban growth across British North America.

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Around 110,000 Irish immigrants arrived, escaping famine and hardship. This was one of the biggest waves of migration to Canada at the time.

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Rev. William King created a self-sufficient Black settlement near Chatham.

Focused on education, farming, and dignity.

Became one of the most successful Black communities in Canada.

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The Gold Rush began in the Fraser Valley, bringing hopeful miners and settlers. It helped grow BC’s economy and boost its population.

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First Black woman to publish a newspaper in North America (Provincial Freeman).

Fought for abolition and equal rights in Canada and the U.S.

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1850s–1870s – First Waves from Outside Europe

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1850s–1870s – First Waves from Outside Europe

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Chinese immigrants came for gold in BC — faced racism and exclusion.

Black communities escaped slavery in the U.S. via the Underground Railroad — about 50,000 came by 1860.

By 1871, their numbers dropped — many left or died from continued hardship

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The first Chinese immigrants came from the U.S., mostly to work in mining and railroads. Despite challenges, they helped shape the growing economy.

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A census showed around 50,000 Black people living here — many were formerly enslaved or born to freed slaves. They faced discrimination but kept building Canada’s story.

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Following military defeat by the American army, groups of Sioux sought refuge in Canada. Between 1862 and 1877, many crossed the border to escape violence, settling in the Prairies and forming peaceful relations with local Indigenous communities.

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After the U.S. Emancipation Proclamation, some Black Canadians chose to return to the United States, reuniting with family and seeking new opportunities in a changing America.

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A small Polish community blossomed in Renfrew, Ontario, growing to about 500 people — laying the groundwork for cultural life in the area.

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Danish immigrants founded a settlement in New Brunswick, adding their customs, language, and farming skills to Canada’s patchwork of cultures.

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Numbers dropped to about 21,500.

Many left or died from poverty, racism, and tough conditions.

Freedom didn’t always mean equality.

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About 1,000 Icelanders settled at Gimli on the west shore of Lake Winnipeg. Norwegians from the U.S. spread out near Brown, Manitoba, Calgary, Alberta, and into B.C., blending Nordic traditions into prairie life.

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Canada saw a diverse wave of new arrivals in 1880, with many ethnic groups contributing to a multicultural transformation across towns and cities.

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Over 1.6 million emigrants left Britain for Canada, drawn by promises of land, work, and a fresh start. The surge reshaped Canada’s demographic landscape.

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The population reached 4.3 million. Most people were British (59%), French (30%), Indigenous (2.5%), and others (8.6%). The country was becoming more diverse.

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The government passed the Chinese Immigration Act, putting a $50 head tax on each Chinese immigrant. It also limited how many Chinese labourers could arrive by boat.

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Black Men Hired as Sleeping Car Porters -Railways hired Black men for long, grueling shifts. They were paid less, tipped for income, and called “George” — stripped of identity.

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Early 1900s	Wobblies and Blanketstiffs Movement

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Early 1900s	Wobblies and Blanketstiffs Movement

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IWW members and migrant workers (blanketstiffs) pushed for one big union, crossing ethnic lines to fight for rights.

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A Beaver Line recruiter in Italy said he brought 6,000 passengers to Canada in one year — and could’ve brought more. It shows how active agents were in driving immigration.

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Head Tax Increased to $500 — nearly two years’ wages for a labourer

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The BC government tried to restrict Asian immigration. But Governor James Dunsmuir, who used low-paid Asian workers in his mines, blocked the bill to protect his business.

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The Asiatic Exclusion League held a racist rally that turned violent. White mobs smashed Chinese and Japanese homes and businesses, hurt people, and terrified families.

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The Immigration Act changed the rules: immigrants had to come directly from their home country. Asian immigrants also needed $250 to enter — which made it harder for many.

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Eight men died in a railway tunnel explosion on the Grand Trunk Pacific project. Dangerous work and no protection.

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A CPR foreman fired his team just to replace them with fellow Italians. Racism and favoritism ran deep in hiring decisions.

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Ship with Indian passengers denied entry. Canada said no — only 24 allowed to stay. Others sent back to face violence. This is what Continuous Journey digs into deeply.

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During World War I, Canada’s immigrant population doubled as people arrived to contribute to the war effort or seek refuge. This growth added complexity to Canada’s social and economic fabric.

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First Black Railway Union in North America-Canadian porters formed their own union after being excluded from white-led ones. First step toward organizing for dignity.

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After the war, workers pushed for better conditions and collective bargaining rights, sparking union activity and public debates on fairness and justice in the workplace.

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One of the largest and most influential labour strikes in Canadian history, the Winnipeg General Strike saw over 30,000 workers walk off the job. It highlighted tensions between workers, businesses, and the government—and marked a turning point for organized labour.

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The Chinese Exclusion Act hit hard. Only diplomats, officials, Canadian-born children, and a few merchants were allowed in. Most Chinese families were shut out.

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Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters Founded- In the U.S., Asa Philip Randolph led the charge. Canadian porters joined later, pushing for fair wages and respect.

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Immigration from Europe was blocked unless you had money, wanted to farm, or had family here. The door wasn’t open to everyone.

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Canada only accepted British or American workers — and only for jobs in farming, logging, or lumber. Other groups were pushed aside.

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Canadian Porters Join BSCP- Black workers in Canada officially became part of the Brotherhood. They fought racism, poor conditions, and lack of promotion.

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Canada rejected most German Jewish refugees fleeing war. Even sent 927 to internment camps out of fear they’d help the enemy. It was a shameful moment.

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PM Mackenzie King ordered all Japanese Canadians to leave the coastal region — copying what the U.S. and others were doing in WWII.

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After Pearl Harbor, the RCMP fingerprinted, photographed, and tracked all Japanese Canadians over 16. They had to carry ID cards for years.

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A train left Vancouver full of Japanese Canadian men, sent to work camps. Others were forced into internment camps in small, isolated towns.

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Chinese Canadians finally allowed to immigrate and vote.

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Lee Williams Challenges Discrimination-Took his case to the union under the Canada Fair Employment Act. Won the right for Black workers to move into other railway roles

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Head tax policies fully repealed; shift to points-based immigration.

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The Road Taken Documentary Released-Selwyn Jacob’s film tells the story of Black porters — their pride, struggle, and fight for justice. Includes interviews and jazz music that brings the era to life