Black Train Porters on the Canadian Railway

TRAIN PORTERS IN 1951. FROM LEFT: R. COKER, W.L. HOLMES, E.D.J. BARTHOLEMEW, W.T. FRASER, C.B. STATES AND C.D. FRAZIER. CANADA SCIENCE AND MUSEUM ARCHIVES. X-35489.

During the early and mid-19th century, Canada claimed to be a land of freedom for those fleeing oppression regardless of the colour of their skin due to the Underground Railroad. This viewpoint came into prominence prior to the American Civil War in which slaves were encouraged to escape and flee southern plantations to reach “Heaven” or “The Promised Land,” which was Canada. Canada continues to enjoy a reputation of being a society that flourishes under multiculturalism, but this viewpoint perpetuates a dangerous myth.

CNR PORTER PRESSING UNIFORM 1914 VAN ARCHIVES CVA 152-1.235

Racism in Canada has always been salient, and continues to be an ugly reality. In truth, at the beginning of the 20th century Canada was much like the United States in that its white elite, especially the government, held irrational fears and prejudices against the Black population. The Canadian government did its part to ensure Black immigrants did not prosper and that they could not participate fully, either socially or economically, in Canadian society. In 1910 the government passed a new Immigration Act that barred races that were deemed “unsuited” from entering Canada. Those who were able to enter the country were subjected to attempts to segregate Blacks in churches, theatres, and other public places.

CANADA SCIENCE AND TECHNOLOGY MUSEUM ARCHIVES. X-39403.

Throughout the 20th century limited job opportunities, unlivable wages, and racial discrimination dominated Black people’s lives. One of the very few jobs available for Black men was being a train porter, which entailed attending passengers abroad sleeping cars by shining their shoes, pressing their clothes, serving them food, and so on. This was considered a prestigious position for Black men, despite the fact they were preferred for this position because of their history in domestic service-- thus making train service continue the legacy of enslavement-era servitude. Nevertheless, railway porters became leaders in Black communities in Montreal and other urban centers. 

A porter’s working conditions were deplorable. They were on call for 24 hours a day, slept three hours a day, were not able to apply for higher positions, did not receive promotions, and were given such a low wage that they relied on tips to earn a livable income. They experienced racial discrimination, and they were seldom ever called their name as white passengers called them “George,” after George Pullman who designed and manufactured the sleeping car.

Discrimination and wrongful dismissals were common. John Harewood, who worked as a porter in 1958, was wrongfully dismissed after a male passenger who was inebriated asked for a cup of coffee. The passenger’s unsteady hands caused him to spill on the coffee on himself, and his complaint to management resulted in John Harewood getting fired.

Much advocacy work was done to create a union, the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters (BSCP), to fight for labour and civil rights. In 1939 the BSCP allowed membership to Canadian porters. Over the next several years Canadian porters formed BSCP divisions in Montreal, Toronto, and Winnipeg and later in Calgary, Edmonton, and Vancouver. As they fought for recognition of Black workers, they were able to negotiate better pay, one week’s paid vacation, and overtime pay, as well as being able to put up plaques in sleeping cars that stated their names. They also negotiated for better work and sleeping conditions. They still faced racial discrimination as they couldn’t apply for the conductor’s job, which was historically a position just for white men.

CNR PORTER, 1934, VANCOUVER ARCHIVES, CVA 99-5931

In 1953, the BSCP filed a complaint to the Department of Labour under the Canada Fair Employment Act of 1953. In 1954, the first Black train conductor was hired.

Black communities have made, and continue to make, important contributions to Canadian society. This is evident with the railway porters. They experienced discrimination and did something about it. Without them, we might have a very different Canada. But struggles for Black people, and other people of colour is far from over, and it is by appreciating the legacy of those before them and actively working with communities today that we can strive for true racial equality.