Heroes and Rebellions

Enslavement in Canada

Slavery existed in Canada. There was no legislation regulating slavery in New France until 1709, with the Raudot Ordinance. Many tradesmen smuggled or brought enslaved Africans to the colony. Much of the enslaved population in New France was Indigenous and the rest was African.

Many colonial officials wanted a robust enslaved population and would bring back enslaved Africans from their journeys to the Caribbean and Louisiana. The use of slaves ensured that they would acquire wealth without losing profit on paid labour.

Advertisement from the Upper Canada Gazette, February 1806 with headline reading To Be Sold, a Black Woman, named Peggy.

Frontispiece of the Black Code (1742 edition), a decree passed by King Louis XIV of France. Regulations in the code concerned government, administration of justice, police, discipline, and trade of Negroes in the French colonies.