Porters’ Legacy

The legacy of the porters and their struggles is seen in the diversity of cultures in Canada, in the multi-lingual speeches, in the diversity of religions, and in the rights of any Canadian to be recognized fully as a citizen without regard to race, ethnicity, place of birth, religion, sexuality or any other form of social discrimination.

Their legacy is also reflected in the efforts by Canada to seek reconciliation with the First Nations People. A delegation of mainly Black porters that went to Ottawa in 1954 demanded the full recognition of the human dignity of Indigenous peoples. Similarly, they championed the cause of fair employment, including equal pay for work of equal value, and for people to join unions of their choice and for non-white Canadians to seek political office.

With their success, the porters helped to change Canada fundamentally. Most of all they helped to break down racial barriers among Canadian citizens. Former Porter Stanley Grizzle for example, was among the first non-white Canadians to enter active politics.

Today, non-white Canadians can aspire to hold offices of Governor-generals, Lieutenant-governors, Prime Ministers, Premiers or Cabinet Ministers. They can also aspire to be leaders in business, sports, entertainment — in all sectors of the economy and all segments of society. Porters were the midwives of a modern Canada that is no longer officially a racially segregated “White Man’s Country”, but a more diverse and inclusive Canadian society.