Black people have had a presence in Canada for hundreds of years and are now one of the largest racialized groups in the country. Even so, across this country’s history, there have been only four Black Canadians in the federal cabinet, no Black provincial premiers, a handful of municipal mayors, and just 20 Black MPs. Canadians increasingly express a desire for more representative institutions, and governments at all levels have committed to anti-racist initiatives and to enhanced equity, diversity, and inclusion. Even so, elected institutions remain stubbornly unrepresentative. Why?
Our research aims to understand the experiences of Black Canadians in electoral politics. Through a survey, interviews, archival research, and a podcast, we are creating a comprehensive record of Black Canadians who have run for and served in offices. Their stories are helping us understand the barriers to elected office, but also the opportunities and successes.
Archival Research
Beginning in 2022, we excavated electoral, media, and digital records to identify Black Canadians who have run for office in the past two decades alongside historical information on the achievements of Black Canadians in public life over time. This effort is a work in progress but is, to date, the most comprehensive account of Black Canadians in electoral politics.
Surveys + Interviews
In 2023 and 2024, our research team conducted the largest ever study of Black Canadians’ experiences in politics. In our recent report, you will find data from a survey and series of in-depth interviews with Black Canadian candidates and officeholders, as well as recommendations for increasing the representation of Black Canadians in elected institutions.
Podcast
Black on the Ballot marries first-person accounts with new research on the experience of being Black in politics. The podcast documents the human side of running for and serving in office and provides the foundation for a public conversation on diversity and inclusion in politics. Watch for episodes beginning in 2025.
Political Milestones
A historical timeline documenting milestones achieved by Black Canadians in electoral politics
Mathieu da Costa
Early 17th century
The first documented Black African to visit Canada
Image ©Canada Post Corporation. Reproduced with permission.
This research has received ethics clearance from the Carleton University Research Ethics Board (protocol #117425, 118664 and 119960).