Many people might be surprised to learn that slavery did exist in the former French and later British colonies of Lower and Upper Canada.
It ended well before Canada came into being as a country, but unlike most areas around the world, it did not come to a sudden end, but rather a more gradual one.
Attitudes and treatment of slaves, mostly blacks, were also slightly different.
The book Done with slavery takes a look at slavery and the transition to freedom in the former French city of Montreal under British control.
A former newspaper journalist, Frank Mackey is a researcher, writer, and author of “Done with Slavery, The Black Fact in Montreal, 1760-1840
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What’s the oldest historic Black community in Quebec?
Done With Slavery – A Look at Canada’s Overlooked Past
Many people are surprised to find out that slavery did, in fact, exist in what is now Canada — particularly in the former French and British colonies of Lower and Upper Canada. While it ended before Canada officially became a country, the process wasn’t sudden. Instead, slavery in Canada faded out gradually over time.
In his book Done With Slavery, author Frank Mackey explores this important and often overlooked part of Canadian history. The book focuses on the city of Montreal, which was once a French colony and later came under British rule. Mackey dives into how slavery functioned there, how enslaved Black individuals were treated, and how the transition to freedom slowly unfolded.
It’s an eye-opening read for anyone interested in Black history, Canadian history, or the long path to justice and equality.
And if you’re looking to unwind after some reading, you might want to check this out: https://theyacinetv.org/
Let me know if you’d like this turned into a short summary or review!
I would like to contact Frank Mackey, while doing my family research, his book provided some answers to long ago mysteries and I still have one major question for him. Maybe he knows the answer