West Indian Domestic Scheme (1955–1967) National Historic Event

The West Indian Domestic Scheme (1955-1967), was designated as a national historic event in 2020.

Historical importance: immigration program targeting Caribbean women at a time when government policies restricted non-white immigration.

Commemorative plaque: will be installed at Bathurst Subway Station, 819 Bathurst Street, Toronto, Ontario^{Footnote 1}

West Indian Domestic Scheme, 1955–1967

At a time when non-white immigration to Canada was restricted, some 3,000 women from the Caribbean entered Canada as domestic workers through this immigration program. It was created by the federal government as part of an effort to improve diplomatic and economic relations across the English-speaking Caribbean. Initially on one-year contracts, the women faced racial discrimination and were paid less than white domestic workers. Settling primarily in Toronto and Montréal, many were later joined by their families and became leaders in various professional pursuits, contributing to the growth of Caribbean culture in Canada.

West Indian Domestic Scheme, 1955–1967

The West Indian Domestic Scheme was a targeted immigration program through which around 3,000 women from the Caribbean came to Canada to be employed as domestic workers. While still very restrictive, this program increased Black immigration to Canada in the post-Second World War era, when discriminatory immigration policies limited the entry of non-white immigrants. The scheme combined an immigration program with Canadian diplomacy as part of Canada’s evolving economic relationships with English-speaking Caribbean nations. Many domestic workers were later joined by their families and became leaders in various professional pursuits, contributing to the growth of Caribbean culture in Canada, especially in Toronto and Montréal.

The Department of Citizenship and Immigration launched this program in 1955 to help meet the demand for domestic labour. In its first year, there was a quota of 100 women, but the system was so successful that annual quotas increased through the 1960s. To be eligible, candidates had to be single women between 18 and 35 years of age, have at least an 8th grade education, and pass a medical examination conducted by Canadian immigration officials. Through this process, they were subjected to a level of ‘moral’ scrutiny that was unique compared to other immigration programs. The women were encouraged to live and work throughout the country, but once accepted into the program, most women chose Toronto or Montréal, since they preferred the social and economic opportunities presented by large urban centres.

The women who came to Canada as part of the scheme were paid less than they anticipated while also being required to work longer hours. After a year of domestic work, the women were granted landed immigrant status and permitted to seek educational and employment opportunities in other fields. They were also able to sponsor family members’ permanent residency in Canada, which the government tried to limit by only accepting single women. After five years in the country, regardless of whether they continued to work in the domestic field, they were eligible for Canadian citizenship.

 

The women who came to Canada as part of the scheme were paid less than they anticipated while also being required to work longer hours. After a year of domestic work, the women were granted landed immigrant status and permitted to seek educational and employment opportunities in other fields. They were also able to sponsor family members’ permanent residency in Canada, which the government tried to limit by only accepting single women. After five years in the country, regardless of whether they continued to work in the domestic field, they were eligible for Canadian citizenship.

 

Despite its success in attracting West Indian women to Canada and a seemingly unlimited demand for domestic labour, the Department of Citizenship and Immigration was reluctant to increase the number of women admitted each year. In 1967 it was announced that, with Canada moving towards a points system for immigration, the West Indian Domestic Scheme would be discontinued effective January 1968.

This press backgrounder was prepared at the time of the plaque unveiling in 2025.

Related links

• National historic designations
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