Canada Refuses Apology Over British Children Abuse Scandal, Prompting Outcry

The Canadian government has declined a recent request for an apology to British children who were subjected to abuse while being shipped to Canada in the 19th and 20th centuries. Despite campaigners’ pleas and petitions directed at Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, the government’s refusal has sparked outrage and disappointment.

Between 1869 and 1948, approximately 115,000 youngsters, known as British Home Children, were sent from the UK to Canada. Often exploited as cheap labor on farms or as domestic servants, many of these children suffered mistreatment and abuse.

While both the UK and Australia have issued formal apologies for their roles in the transportation of British children under punishing circumstances, Canada has declined to follow suit. The government’s response acknowledged the poor living and working conditions experienced by these children but did not include an apology, further exacerbating the frustration of petition organizers.

Lori Oschefski, representing British Home Children Canada, expressed dismay at the government’s decision, emphasizing the importance of confronting historical wrongs and demonstrating a commitment to rectifying past injustices. Despite initiatives by the Canadian government to acknowledge the experience of Home Children, including a 2017 apology by the House of Commons, campaigners argue that these efforts fall short of the formal apology sought, akin to those issued by the UK and Australia. The refusal to apologize perpetuates a narrative of neglect and indifference towards the victims of this troubling chapter in Canadian history.