Today, the Honourable Marci Ien, Minister for Women and Gender Equality and Youth and Member of Parliament for Toronto Centre, 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.
