RCMP Application information Session

From: 5/1/2005 to 5/17/2005 held May 18th at the NSCC-Strait Area Campus at 5pm. All new applicants for the RCMP are required to attend this session. Call 625-2220 for more information**

The Difference between Intelligence and Wisdom!!!

"Physics is easy, and so is school. Honestly, I'm passing everything with straight A's!" This is an example of intelligence, the thing many people are lacking these days. Intelligence is how much, or what, you can learn, and what you already know. It is not about memorizing everything you learn in school, since that is impossible, but it is keeping in mind the things that you will need in the later years. "Well, I'm not doing that good in school, but hey, at least I know when to be quiet." This is an example of Wisdom, the thing that keeps us from getting ourselves hurt. Wisdom is knowing things where intelligence is not required; such as knowing how to solve problems of a person, such as a friend asking you a question on what they should do, and not solving problems that are related to school, such as a question from a Math book. Wisdom is mostly made up of common sense, another thing a lot of people seem to be missing these days. Common Sense is quite important, I find, because without it you will be making quite a few mistakes that you normally wouldn't make, like putting a lighter in front of an aerosol can to create a "flame thrower" effect. Without wisdom people will be walking around, not noticing much of their surroundings, making a lot of mistakes without realizing it, and not able to solve personal problems, nor give advice to your friends. Intelligence is mostly composed of being able to pay attention, and to be able to learn from your mistakes, and to be able to learn from what you observe. Intelligence is very important, because without it you would be, well, an idiot. You would be walking around a place, gawking at everything that comes your way, or past you, while wondering why they do that, or what they do, or why you don't know what or why they do that. Intelligence is very important to a human, and to humanity, because there would probably be a lot of accidental deaths (more than there are now). In my opinion, I believe that Wisdom is more important than intelligence; but also that you need some intelligence, but only enough to know that you are either an idiot, or enough intelligence to realize how not to act like an idiot. I do not believe it is possible to possess great intelligence and great wisdom at the same time, but that one person can possess some intelligence and good wisdom, or the other way around, or one without the other. Of course, this thought does not apply to everyone; but look around the next time you are around friends, and observe, and wonder, at which they have; intelligence, or wisdom?

Life!!!

I find the phase, or sentence, "He’s wasting his life" particularly funny. It is a really, really, stupid sentence, I find. Also the sentence "He has no life." Now, let me explain something for you people who say that I am wasting my life, or that I have no life; I am breathing. As long as I am breathing, there is life in me, so I am not wasting my life. Sure, I go on the computer and play video games, and search the Internet for pointless things every now and then, but I am not, technically, wasting my life: I am managing my time. In order to "waste my life," I would have to kill myself. Thus, when I am dead, my life is no more, so I just wasted my life because I probably had a couple of more hours, or days, or months, or years, depending on when I am supposed to die (Accident, by man, by vehicle, or whatever; not by God’s judgement (Bad judgement)). Also, if you say I'm wasting my life, take a look at yourself. Did you picture yourself going to work everyday in a suit and tie, with a briefcase in hand, waiting several hours in traffic and doing the same job daily, while taking insults and yellings from the higher-class employee’s? Now, what seems like wasting life? Spending time with friends via Internet and/or through verbal communication, or going into a cubicle in a tie and suit and sitting in front of a computer and looking at numbers, proposals, and various other things that are work related, getting elevated stress, and dying early in life because of a heart attack caused by stress? Now, to the latter, "He has no life." I don’t even need to correct this, because it is not true. Want to know who has no life? Albert Einstein, Sir John A. MacDonald, and Edgar Allan Poe. Want to know why they have no life? Because they’re dead. Dead people have no life because they don’t breathe. Also, wasting your life, well, we sort of only have one life (Unless you believe in Reincarnation), and that means we only have so many hours to live. Teenagers are actually able to live their lives longer because they barely get any sleep, so they are actually, in a way, keeping better track of their time on Earth. To end this, I just want to remind you that the only way you can waste your life is by suicide, which is not advisable, because you would be, well, dead, and that besides suicide, it is not possible to "Waste your life."

Manifesto of the Democratic Labour Party of Canada!!!

The Democratic Labour Party of Canada is a party of like-minded individuals from all walks of life who have united to voice their opposition to the current state of affairs in Canada. For too long already, the Canadian working class has been neglected, allowed to deteriorate and forced to endure hardship after hardship, and with the worsening of the Canadian economy, along with that of the American economy, we feel that now is the time to take action. We are opposed to all forms of discrimination, whether it be racism, sexism, bigotry, or any other form. We believe that all Canadians are deserving of equal treatment and equal opportunities no matter their sex, race, age, sexual orientation, religious or political beliefs, or financial situation. This belief leads us to support the struggle for same-sex marriage, although on this issue, as well as on others of a particularly sensitive nature, we would act in accordance with the will of the Canadian people. The Democratic Labour Party is appalled by the state of the health care and education systems in Canada. These essential components of our society are in desperate need of revamping and require an infusion of capital larger than those recently in power have been willing to make. The Democratic Labour Party is committed to saving Canada’s public health care and education systems from the pit into which they have been allowed to fall. There was a time when a high school education was more than enough to get a well-paying job, and so, everyone thought it was great that the government provided this education free of charge. But the times and the people’s needs have changed. No longer is a high school education enough. A person now requires several years of college or university to stand a chance at getting a decent job. Sadly, many Canadians simply cannot afford to attend a post-secondary institution of any kind. The government, however, has taken no steps to remedy this situation. In its greed and blindness, the current state has lost touch with the needs and wants of the people. The Democratic Labour Party is determined to change this. The Democratic Labour Party of Canada demands the immediate freeze of college and university tuition fees across the country and the eventual elimination of tuition altogether, so that the sons and daughters of the poor and working classes can have the same opportunity as those of the wealthy elite to attended post-secondary institutions. We of the Democratic Labour Party are in favour of the legalization of marijuana in Canada. We think it absurd that a person be faced with legal repercussions for the use of marijuana while the Canadian government not only allows, but profits from the production and sale of tobacco products. The Democratic Labour Party is committed to protecting the environment, as well. The wanton destruction of Canadian forests must be brought to a halt, greater protection measures for fresh water resources and marine creatures must be put in place, and the production of toxic emissions must be drastically reduced across the country. The Kyoto Accord and all such future programs must receive the unequivocal support of Canada. The Canadian environment and that of the entire planet has been endangered by the current way of doing things, by allowing big business to run nature into the ground. The Democratic Labour Party is dedicated to reversing such trends and to bringing about some environmental change for the good. The Democratic Labour Party is also concerned with the state of our roads, and that of the broader Canadian infrastructure. We realize that Canadians desire better and that they deserve better than they currently have, and we of the Democratic Labour Party are determined to allocate the resources required to improve Canadian roads, to bring our roads up to the level at which they should be. The Democratic Labour Party believes that Canada’s military personnel deserve to have the best equipment, and so, we advocate an increase in military expenditures, but only to a degree capable of maintaining our current force, meaning we do not support a great increase in the size of the Canadian military. We of the Democratic Labour Party believe that Canada should retain its role and identity as a peacekeeper and not take part in unjust wars of aggression and imperialism. The Democratic Labour Party feels that it should be a priority of the Canadian government to care for the veterans of past conflicts and their spouses. We of the Democratic Labour Party call for the immediate implementation of a nationwide housing construction program. This program would be responsible for providing quality housing for Canada’s homeless and those currently living in sub-standard housing. The Democratic Labour Party calls for the increase of Old Age Security payments to levels capable of sustaining a decent life for Canadian seniors. This party also looks to establish a national minimum wage of nine dollars an hour.The Democratic Labour Party is, as our name indicates, a political party dedicated to the cause of true democracy. Over the decades, the Canadian people have become alienated from their government, and we wish to change that. The Democratic Labour Party organization is based upon democratic centralism, under which things run from the bottom up, instead of from the top down as they do under the current system. The party encourages members to participate to the fullest, and Democratic Labour governments would encourage the open participation of all Canadians. If in power, the Democratic Labour Party would ensure that the people have their say and are heard of all issues. As part of this commitment, under a Democratic Labour government, major social questions would be put to the Canadian public in the form of referendums and plebiscites. The Democratic Labour Party looks to reform the electoral system and the broader system of governance in Canada. The first of these reforms would switch Canada to the electoral system of proportional representation, under which political parties would be awarded seats in government according to the percentage of the popular vote won. Under the current electoral system, a political party can win several hundred thousand votes, several percent of the national popular vote, but yet not hold a single seat in Parliament. Under the system we of the Democratic Labour Party propose, any party winning two percent or more of the popular vote would hold a seat in Parliament, thereby finally giving their supporters a voice in government. he next change that we wish to make to government is the abolition of the Canada’s upper house, the Senate. The Canadian Senate is a body of appointed members, who are paid annual salaries only dreamt of by average working Canadians and whose jobs are guaranteed until the age of seventy-five. Senators are allowed to fly all around the country, first-class, at the entirely at the expense of taxpayers. The Democratic Labour Party believes that the Senate is a gross waste of the Canadian people’s tax dollars, and that there is no place for an appointed body of such power in the Canadian government. The Democratic Labour Party carries this belief in true democracy to apply to the appointed positions of Governor General and Lieutenant-Governor. Such positions must also be abolished, for the same reasons given above: they are a gross waste of funds and have no place in our democracy. The Democratic Labour Party is prepared to go so far as to call for Canada’s separation from British Monarchy. Why should Canada now, in the 21st Century, have as it’s Head of State the King or Queen of another nation? The Democratic Labour Party feels that Canada will never be truly free and democratic until such reforms are carried out. We of the Democratic Labour Party believe that some economic changes are also needed in Canada. First of all, we call for the nationalization of all major Canadian industries and of big business. Under state, in other words, public control, Canadian businesses would be contributing more to the well-being of Canadian society as a whole, than to the well-being of the wealthy elite as they currently are. State control would ensure that workers receive proper treatment and pay, and it would also ensure that business and industry follow environmental regulations. Secondly, the Democratic Labour Party calls for the reindustrialization of Canada. Reindustrialization would not mean a reversal of the progress made in the service sector of the economy, but would instead mean a boost to it. The so-called experts drone on about the wonders of the new service-based economy, and how the Canadian people must embrace it. The problem is that the service sector is not enough to maintain an entire economy, especially not that of a nation as large as Canada. Just as developing countries struggle with an economy based on one sector of the economy, that of agriculture, so has Canada struggled with the transition to this new economy. Call centres are not enough to maintain our country. The Democratic Labour Party realizes that some real employment is needed, and this employment would come with reindustrialization. Seven percent of the national workforce is currently unemployed, and this percentage does not include those Canadians who are not actively seeking employment or those who are underemployed. Reindustrialization would provide quality jobs for all of these people, these people whom the current system neglects. Reindustrialization would provide a boost to the service sector through spinoff; those newly employed Canadians would have money to spend, meaning more business for retailers and other branches of the service sector.
Reindustrialization would mean the production of products here in Canada, meaning we would be far less dependant upon goods from foreign nations. Why should Canadian consumers be forced to buy products which are either expensive and of poor quality or inexpensive and of a poor quality, when the potential exists to produce affordable products of a high quality here?
The Democratic Labour Party calls for Canada’s withdrawl from the North American Free Trade Agreement, and the establishment of a fair trade agreement, perhaps based upon the idea of counter-trade. Finally, the Democratic Labour Party calls for some reform of the Canadian tax system. We call for the aboltion of the current complex graduated income tax, in favour of a simpler system under which a person would be taxed according to their gross annual income. We also support the elimination of income tax on yearly incomes of less than twenty-five thousand dollars, along with the implementation of taxes on inheritances of one million dollars or more. We of the Democratic Labour Party of Canada know that the majority of Canadian are disastisfied with the current system and are looking for an alternative to the ways that have been forced upon us. The Democratic Labour Party is that alternative, and with the support of the Canadian public, we know that we can bring about some real change for the better. But the Canadian people must take action now! Now is the time for change! Canadian voters must strike while the iron is hot, or risk having to endure several more years of the farce that has been made of our beautiful country. The future of Canada and its people holds great potential, but before it can be realized we must shake ourselves free of the chains that have held us back to this point in our development. We are on the road to stagnation, the road of our demise. We must take a stand against poverty, discrimination, and inequality in all of its forms. Let us now do what we know must be done, let us face the future.

Death, Life, and Immortality!!!

Humans are born, we live out our life, and we die. That is the state of our being, our lives. But I have been thinking harder upon this than any human should have a right to, probably.
Now, every man, woman, and child wants one thing in life above all others: immortality. Whether through song, poem, stories, or through eternal life, it doesn’t matter; just so long as we are not forgotten. We seek fame like treasure, and we look for ways to get it more than we ponder the weather, or the future, or a source of food. People who are generous are indeed also looking for fame, for immortality, through being known by others and not forgotten by them.
Speaking of treasure and immortality, they go hand in hand.
Long, long ago, people used to go “treasure hunting”, in which they bought supplies (food, water, camping equipment, etc), found a few friends, and went off to go search for something priceless, for fame. Today, we have developed a new way to go treasure hunting through science, in which we try to create the treasure, like cures for diseases in which other countries will want, or the car, the rockets used in propelling things forwards, and scientific discoveries through satellites.
I am going somewhere with this, so patience please.
Now, back on subject, immortality. Long ago, humans went treasure hunting for three reasons: gold, fame, and eternal life. Not eternal life as in song and glory, I mean as in the “Fountain of Youth”, the great way to live forever in physical form, to forever look like you do now, to never age. Of course, no one has found anything like that, because it doesn’t exist. Even today, humans are still searching for eternal life through science, the new way to treasure hunt. An example of this is cloning, in which we want to recreate ourselves with the same mind, same image, same thoughts; everything. Of course, we ourselves won’t be thinking in that body, unless we transport the brain from one body to the other, but we will still be living on in the same image anyways.
I have thought about it for awhile, and I have discovered something; there is no eternal life.
Poets are remembered still for their great works, and scientists are known for their discoveries. But in two thousand years or longer, when wars have ravaged the land and pollution consumes our oxygen, do you think humans will still remember names like Fredrick Banton, or Alexander Graham Bell? Jennifer Lopez and Brittany Spears? What about Albert Einstein, the most brilliant man known to ever exist? Edgar Allan Poe? No, they will be forgotten, just like us.
Humans seek eternal life, but it does not exist. Every man and woman has thought about living forever; you might even be thinking about going “treasure hunting” for eternal life as you read this, and try to prove me wrong; but I will tell you now that it will only prove me right. We think about it every day, living forever, and we think about going out to find it, but we never do. Do you want to know why? It is easy; we think about it, and we desire to, but deep down in our minds and hearts we KNOW that it is impossible. Eternal life does not exist.
To go along with something in the movie “Troy”: Humans will settle down, bear children, and those children will remember your name. Those children will have children, and you will still be known; but that is as far as it will go. When you are gone, and your grandchildren have children too, your name will be forgotten, and life will go on. There is no stopping it; there is no way to keep your name going eternally; you will be forgotten.
I speak only the truth, and I hope you will realize that to go pursue eternal life is fruitless. Sure, you could gain some fame, some fortune, and be known for several long years, but in the end, your name will be forgotten.
I leave this final omen, these final words, and you will remember these words for as long as you live: “We are not so much as living, as waiting to die.”

Relationships!!!

There’s something I don’t get, and it is quite simple: relationships.
Okay, so maybe it’s not as simple as it may seem, maybe it’s quite complex and frustrating, but it’s not so much as who is on the date; it is what is in the date.
Here is my problem, what I don’t understand, and with good reason in my perspective, is that there is more going on during dates than just dinner.
Okay, women, honestly, why do you suck your boyfriends penis, or partake in anal sex, or just go all the way and do it like rabbits? To me, it seems demeaning and pitiful. If you think that to build up a successful relationship you got to play with the penis, then I think you need to become a nun. At least they have morals.
I believe that a successful relationship is being able to get along with your partner, and to have something in common. It is not composed of how long you can suck his penis.
You have been given Women Rights in this world, it gives you respect from males (or those who realize that we need you), and yet you toss it away to get on your hands and knees like a female dog in heat, only to give your “boyfriend” a few minutes of pleasure.
I just don’t get it; why do you partake in these activities? What is there in it for you? A drink? Get some water.
I also strongly believe that boyfriends should be people who show respect to you, are easy and capable of trusting, and will never ask for any of that business on a date, or while going through the dating part of the relationship.
Another thing, too; why do you persist in dating idiots, who have done nothing with their life up to this point, who practically beg for sex, probably lives off welfare, and is seventeen years old and still in grade 9? I mean, we’re in school for a reason, and that is to learn not to make stupid decisions that can easily be avoided.
Teenagers know NOTHING about love. What many would take for “love” is actually “lust”. I’m talking to you too, men.
“I love her.” No, you just want to get in her bra.
“I love him.” No, you just made a bad decision.
It is very simple, ladies, all you need to do is open your eyes and realize that your boyfriend is most likely a sexist pig, or you are a whore. Open your eyes and realize which one you are, and keep your mouth closed; you don’t want another penis in there, do you?
Ah, men, men, men, you don’t think I would leave you out of the bashing, would you? Of course you did, you just hate me because this rant will either make your woman complain to you, or dump you because you’re an idiot.
Try to learn things while listening to everyone, for bloody’s sake, and stop begging for sex. I know your hormones are raging, and you feel like you got to hump every piece of furniture, but that is NOT something your girlfriend needs to know. Chances are she already knows, and so did the one before her, and the one before her, and so forth.
I swear, men are more offensive with every passing day. What, you mean me too? I’m just releasing pent up anger, and there is something that separates me from you; I know when to shut up. I’m sure your girlfriend does not want to know what you did with you ex-girlfriends when you were dating them, or whom you think is hot, or who your previous girlfriends are.
And don’t use the line “If you love me, you will…”, it is pathetic, and annoying, because you are pretty much FORCING them to do what you want. You’re worst than a child if you do that; always getting what they want, and begging for more and more, until they grow up thinking they are superior. Much like you probably think you are now. We have a little something called FREE WILL. You know, it’s that thing that “God” gave us so we could control our own destinies, fates, etc. That gives us choices to do as we wish, and if she doesn’t accept what you are trying to force her to do, then tough. It’ll just be another girlfriend that dumped another loser.
I know you love to feel pleasure, I mean, who doesn’t? It’s, well, pleasing; but that does not mean you need to beg your girlfriend for sex, or to try it up the butt, or to suck your penis. Ever hear of chocolate? That’s supposed to work just as well.
Try the cafeteria’s vending machine.
Also, please refrain from talking about your girlfriend, about how much you love her, and about how you have all these great things planned out for this certain night, and about how she is so special. I’ll cut it down, short and simple: No one cares.
Now, I hope this has been enlightening, and I hope even more that you’re wondering who wrote this so that you could “kick his butt” for making the girlfriend dump you. She most likely deserves better than you, any ways.
End of rant, good bye.

What is a good employee?

What Is An Employee?
According to dictionary.com an employee is a worker who is hired to perform a job. An employee is also trained to have the skills it takes to do the job they are hired for. The minimum expectations from an employee is to do the tasks they are assigned to do. A good ambitious employee would finish their task and look around to see if there is any other little jobs around the office or work site for them to do to keep themselves occupied and working. An employer will notice what their employees are doing and how they are performing on the job. If the employer sees that the employee is doing extra little things as a bonus that they have either volunteered to do or just noticed that they could be doing to keep themselves working until they are assigned another task this employee could receive a “perk”, short for perquisite, which could be an employee benefit or incentive. Every little thing you do counts. If you are an employee who is always cutting off work early or always taking breaks or always messing up on the job you could receive a pink slip which is an employee's termination notice. In my own opinion I think an employee's job is to see things get done, take the initiative to do other tasks you see needs to be done without having to be told to do it, respecting your employer and fellow employees, also respecting the environment you work in. Don't take it for granted that you can do anything you want when you want, if you have this attitude you will eventually be kicked in the ass, or given a pink slip. If you are an employee, work, that is what you are there for and why you were hired. Most importantly don't slack off.
Personally I have not had any bad working experiences. I have had negative effects from a job that I took on this summer being a person who looks after the cemetery and I didn't mind it until a few certain people from that neighborhood called me or visited me with pointless complaints such as “there is grass clippings on my relatives tombstone”, little things like that which aggravated me. I also had people coming up to me telling me what a wonderful job they thought I was doing, which always makes a person feel good when someone compliments you on how well you work. Other than that, I don't have any other complaints about my past employment.

What is a good employee?

What is a good employee?
According to the online Webster’s dictionary, an "employee" is "a person who works for another in return for financial or other compensation". The qualities that make a good employee are the following:
You should take interest in the product which your company sells and use the product yourself.
You should engage in discussion with customers to see what they like, dislike, or what they would change about the product.
You must have specialized knowledge or skills, and be willing to learn new concepts.
You have to be flexible enough to take advantage of opportunities that can give you perspective.
You have to use your head in practical ways, and use your time efficiently.
Although I do not have a lot of experience in the workforce, I do know that as an employee it is important to be prompt and on time for your job. You should always be willing to accept new challenges given by your employer. The last quality of a good employee is not to overlook the obvious essentials such as being honest, ethical and hard working. These attributes are critical and go without saying.

Black History Month

Black History Month
Every year Canadians are invited to take part in the festivities and events that honour the legacy of Black Canadians, past and present, during Black History Month. This is a time to celebrate the many achievements and contributions of Black Canadians, who, throughout history, have done so much to make Canada the culturally diverse, compassionate and prosperous nation we know today. It is also an opportunity for the majority of Canadians to learn about the experiences of Black Canadians in our society, and the vital role this community has played throughout our shared history. Many sites, persons and events of national significance related to Black history have been formally recognized by the Government of Canada as defining important aspects of Canada's diverse but common heritage and identity. To learn more about other commemorations of Black history in the system of national sites of Canada, please visit the Parks Canada Web site.
Background
Despite a presence in Canada that dates back farther than Samuel de Champlain's first voyage down the St. Lawrence River, people of African descent are often absent from Canadian history books.
There is little mention of the fact that slavery once existed in the territory that is now Canada, or that many of the Loyalists who came here after the American Revolution and settled in the Maritimes were Black. Few Canadians are aware of the many sacrifices made in wartime by Black Canadian soldiers, as far back as the War of 1812. In an attempt to heighten awareness of Black history in the United States, historian Carter G. Woodson proposed an observance to honour the accomplishments of Black Americans. This led to the establishment of Negro History Week in 1926. Woodson is believed to have chosen February for this observance because the birthdays of the renowned abolitionist Frederick Douglass (Feb. 14) and former US President Abraham Lincoln (Feb. 12) fall in this month. During the early 1970s, the week became known as Black History Week. It was expanded into Black History Month in 1976. In December 1995, the Parliament of Canada officially recognized February as Black History Month, following a motion introduced by the first Black Canadian woman elected to Parliament, the Honourable Jean Augustine, M.P. of Etobicoke-Lakeshore, who at the time was Parliamentary Secretary to the Prime Minister. The motion was carried unanimously by the House of Commons.
Mathieu Da Costa Challenge
Mathieu Da Costa
The earliest mention of Mathieu Da Costa is February 1607 in Holland. Mathieu Da Costa was a navigator and interpreter of African descent who likely travelled extensively throughout the Atlantic world in the late 1500s and early 1600s. As an interpreter, he was sought after by the French and the Dutch to help in their trading with Aboriginal people. Da Costa likely spoke French, Dutch, Portuguese, and pidgin Basque. This language was a common trade dialect used in dealing with Aboriginal peoples in the era of early contact.
The tradition of Europeans relying on Black interpreters was more than a century old by Da Costa's time. It began with voyages off the African coast and continued as Europeans and Africans came across to the Americas. Mathieu Da Costa probably sailed on many voyages, travelling up the St. Lawrence River and all along the coast of what is now Atlantic Canada. His interpreting skills were instrumental in bridging the cultural and linguistic gap between the early French explorers and the Mi'kmaq people. His work in Canada is commemorated at the Port Royal Habitation National Historic Site of Canada in Annapolis Royal, Nova Scotia. It is in recognition of this extremely intriguing figure in Canadian history that the Department of Canadian Heritage launched the Mathieu Da Costa Challenge in February 1996, a year after the Parliament of Canada had declared February as Black History Month. The Challenge, held annually, gives students across the country an opportunity to research, discover and celebrate the contributions of Aboriginal peoples and Canadians of African and other ethnocultural origins to the building of Canada. For more information on the Mathieu Da Costa Challenge, please visit the Canadian Teachers' Federation Web site.
Historic Events
The first recorded person of African heritage to set foot in what would become Canada arrived on our shores some 400 years ago. It is believed that, in 1604, Mathieu Da Costa arrived with the French explorers Pierre Du Gua De Monts and Samuel de Champlain. Da Costa, a free man, worked as an interpreter, providing an invaluable link with the Mik'maq people encountered by the Europeans. Slavery existed in Canada from 1628 until it was abolished in Upper Canada in 1793 and throughout the entire British empire in 1833. The first known slave, Olivier LeJeune, was recorded in 1628. He was brought to Canada from Africa as a young child and given the name of one of his owners, a priest. In 1779, in an effort to win the War of American Independence (1775-1783), the British invited all Black men, women and children to join the British cause and win their freedom for doing so. Many accepted the invitation, and as a result 10 percent of the United Empire Loyalists coming into the Maritimes were Black. In 1793, the Abolition Act was passed in Upper Canada, now known as Ontario. This law freed slaves aged 25 and over and made it illegal to bring slaves into Upper Canada. Consequently, Upper Canada became a safe haven for runaway slaves. The Abolition Act also made Canada the first jurisdiction in the British Empire to move toward the abolition of slavery. In 1833, the British Imperial Act abolished slavery throughout the Empire, including Canada. Between 1800 and 1865, approximately 20,000 Black people escaped to Canada via the Underground Railway. During the War of 1812, the Coloured Corps fought in the Battle of Queenston Heights, a decisive engagement with the Americans. The Corps had been established thanks to Richard Pierpoint, a Black Loyalist and true Canadian hero. Railway porters played a major role in the struggle for Black rights in Canada. Starting in the late 1880s, they emerged as leaders of Black communities in Montréal and other urban centres. Through their unions, such as the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters and the Order of Sleeping Car Porters, they gained recognition for Black workers. After the Second World War, the porters made important contributions to the campaign for human rights, particularly through their struggle to end discrimination in railway employment. Black Railway PortersWindsor train station, Montréal, Québec· Africville Geneological Society · In 1858, nearly 800 free Black people left the oppressive racial conditions of San Francisco for a new life on Vancouver Island. Governor James Douglas had invited them to settle in British Columbia. Though still faced with intense discrimination, these pioneers enriched the political, religious and economic life of the colony. For example, Mifflin Gibbs became a prominent politician, Charles and Nancy Alexander initiated the Shady Creek Methodist Church, and John Deas established a salmon cannery. The group also formed one of the earliest colonial militia units, the Victoria Pioneer Rifle Corps. A ceremony took place on February 20, 2000 in Saanichton, B.C. to honour the arrival of the Black Pioneers to British Columbia. To learn more about other commemorations of Black history, please visit the Parks Canada Web site. Black Pioneers to British Columbia· Cathie Ferguson, Parcs Canada · During the First World War, patriotic Black Canadians attempted to join combat units but were prevented. However, they still contributed to the war effort. In 1916, a segregated battalion made up of Black Canadians, the Number 2 Construction Battalion, was formed. It was responsible for crucial work building bridges, digging trenches and clearing roads. In the Second World War, Black Canadians' persistent efforts to join the armed forces was rewarded with success and they went on to serve with distinction in all branches of the military.
People - Past and Present
Donovan Bailey
Rosemary Brown
William Hall
Josiah Henson
Sam Langford
Michael Lee-Chin
James Mink
Oscar Peterson
Mary Ann Shadd
Bruny Surin
Juanita Westmoreland-Traoré
Portia White
Demographics
According to the 2001 Census, 662,215 Canadians identified themselves as Black. The majority of Black Canadians live in five Canadian cities. As of 2001, Toronto, Montréal, Ottawa-Gatineau, Vancouver and Halifax were home to approximately 78.4 percent of all Black Canadians. In spite of the great contributions Black Canadians have made, many still face challenges in our society. According to the Ethnic Diversity Survey that was released in September 2003, almost half of the Black Canadians surveyed said they have experienced some form of discrimination or unfair treatment in the past five years.