Canadian Slavery In Canada

The question of slavery always lingered in the minds of Canadian 's. Many are oblivious to the fact that Canada even had slavery to begin with, most likely because the American colonies and the Caribbean ones overshadowed us in this exploitive and abusive trade. Regardless of their acts, it should be stated here that slavery still existed within Canada; however, the question that is to be asked and examined is, how much economic gain and development did Canada receive as of result of slavery? The United States had much to gain from their slave trade due to their plantation economies. However, the Canadian economy functioned differently as there were other resources Canada focused on. These resources of course being a product that the British …show more content…
Slavery in Canada started from the 1620 's and ended in 1834. The reason as to why slavery in Canada was not as big as it was in other countries because of the existing economy and market within Canada at the colonial period, which was primarily the fur trade and cod fishing. Both of which lacking the need of slave labour and more so desiring skilled labour. Skilled labour for the fur trade generally came from "a small group of professionals and essentially relied on the labour of [first peoples] fur trappers. Manual labour in families was sufficient for small farming operations (Bessiére, Arnaud). " This quote coming directly from the Canadian Museum of History article illustrates that "In Canada, the colonial economy did not favour the growth of slavery because the economy 's two principal industries required little manual labour. (Bessiére, Arnaud)" Essentially stating that slavery was not a necessity or a dire need within these large industries that essentially dominated Canada and pushed for native contact and …show more content…
There was a lack of need for slavery and the institution of it was less of challenge to sight as evil or morally wrong. The likely reason being Canada had no economic dependency on it compared to the American Colonies. This does not mean slavery was not abusive, or Canada did not do it, it simply means that it did not hold such a heavy toll on Canadian Economics, though there were several opportunities for it to expand though fortunately enough those opportunities were squandered. Examples being the mine that was established in 1677 and the railway being built after the abolition. Slavery was a festering and diseased institution that was fortunately eliminated from