By the time my uncle was eleven years of age, he had lost both of his parents.  Like so many other children in Britain that suffered a similar fate, he ended up in an orphanage. At the age of fourteen he left the orphanage and boarded a ship with about two dozen other boys and set sail for Canada.

Between 1869 and 1948, over 100,000 British children, like my uncle, were sent to Canada from Great Britain during the child emigration movement. These children, known today as the British Home Children, were boys and girls between 6 months and 18 years of age. Most of them came from British orphanages or other institutions and were brought to Canada to work as farm labourers or domestic servants. In some cases, the children were adopted.

In the beginning, the children came primarily to Ontario and many of them, like my uncle, settled in Brant. Eventually, British Home Children were located from coast to coast and almost all remained in Canada after reaching adulthood.  Today, it is estimated that 12% of Canada’s population is made up of British Home Children and their descendants.

Not only do British Home Children and their descendants represent more than four million Canadians, they also represent an important part of our history that is not well known or understood. The Home Children faced considerable challenges and some experienced tremendous hardship. There is no doubt they were susceptible to mistreatment, as their living conditions in Canada were not closely monitored. However, most of them endured and went on to live successful lives.

 In addition to raising families of their own, the British Home Children contributed to Canada’s economic growth and prosperity. They helped to shape our country’s values and defend our freedom. More than ten thousand of them fought for Canada in WWI, and approximately one thousand lost their lives.

While it is impossible to measure the significant contributions made to Canada by the British Home Children, it is important that we, as Canadians, collectively recognize their efforts and achievements. On December 7, 2009 I will introduce a motion in the House of Commons to officially recognize 2010 as The Year of the British Home Child across Canada. If passed, this motion will help to acknowledge these citizens, their stories and their important role in Canadian history.