What Quebec Doesn’t Want You to Know About Its Black History
- Editor
- Feb 10
- 2 min read
The history of Black communities in Quebec dates back to New France, long before the province became what it is today. A history often erased from textbooks, yet essential to understanding the present and the journey traveled.
Between 1629 and 1834, around 4,200 people were enslaved in the territory of New France. While the majority were Indigenous, a third came from Africa or the French Caribbean. These men, women, and children served as domestic workers, artisans, or laborers, without any rights, and could be bought, sold, or inherited as property.
Marie-Joseph Angélique, a slave of Portuguese origin, was accused in 1734 of setting fire to Montreal. Her trial and execution illustrate the violence and injustice faced by enslaved people, leaving a lasting mark on Quebec society.
The abolition of slavery in 1834, under the British Empire, did not mean equality. Montreal became a refuge for African Americans fleeing slavery via the Underground Railroad. These newcomers founded communities, built churches, schools, and mutual aid organizations, while working in often subordinate jobs, despite pervasive discrimination.
The Saint-Antoine district, near today’s downtown, became the heart of Montreal’s Black community, hosting the Union United Church founded in 1907 and the first advocacy movements.
The 1960s and 1970s marked the large-scale arrival of Haitian immigrants, French-speaking and skilled, fleeing the Duvalier dictatorship. Despite their abilities, many faced professional and social barriers, while other African immigrants from Congo, Rwanda, or Ivory Coast enriched Montreal’s cultural and linguistic diversity. Today, about 300,000 Black people live in Quebec, representing more than 50 different origins.
The history of Black communities in Quebec is also one of struggles for equality. Inspired by the civil rights movement in the United States, Montreal activists created organizations like the Congress of Black Canadians, denouncing discrimination in employment, housing, and education. Legislative progress, such as the Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms of 1975, has been limited in the face of persistent systemic racism, illustrated notably by racial profiling and overrepresentation in the prison system. The Black Lives Matter Montreal movement in 2017 highlighted these injustices.
Despite these obstacles, Black communities have profoundly influenced Quebec culture. In music, Montreal was called the “Harlem of the North” between 1920 and 1960, with iconic figures like Oscar Peterson and Oliver Jones. In literature, Dani Laferrière and Rodne Saint-Lois enriched the cultural landscape with unique narratives. Theatre, sports, and other fields have also benefited from Black contributions, despite persistent discrimination.
In 2024, systemic racism remains tangible. Barriers to employment, housing, and education persist, as does underrepresentation in media and politics. Historical invisibility reinforces the mistaken idea that Black people are “newcomers,” when they have been an integral part of Quebec for four centuries.
To build a truly inclusive Quebec, it is necessary to officially recognize slavery in New France, teach its history, fight systemic racism, and ensure fair representation in all areas of society.
The history of Black communities in Quebec is a story of dignity, resistance, and contribution. Understanding this past provides the tools to shape a future where every individual, regardless of color, can live in equality and respect.
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