Racial Segregation in Canada, particularly British Columbia, was widespread during colonial times and continued through the 1950s. Early workplaces were often segregated, with different groups being allowed certain jobs and rates of pay. Fish canneries & coal mines were both highly segregated. In coal mining opes – such as the one at Cumberland in Vancouver Island - had separate China Towns, “Jap” Towns and white towns. Fish canneries were segregated as well – with separate living areas and jobs for Whites, Japanese, Chinese and First Nations (‘Indians’). Non-whites were usually paid less and segregation served to prevent labour solidarity. Following the internment of the Japanese Canadians during the Second World War, the Japanese were removed from these systems and more First Nations were hired. In some locations there were whites-only bathrooms and water fountains. At Namu Cannery this system existed – though the Japanese were considered ‘honourary whites’ and allowed to use white bathrooms. In the case of Namu – it was desegregated when a group of First Nations women removed the ‘whites-only’ signs and took them to the cannery manager in the mid-20th century.
First Nations (Indigenous/Native people) were also prohibited from using the same facilities in transportation – rail cars, accommodations on steamships are two examples. Both First Nations, and Asians were restricted from some professions in the early 20th Century. Indians were also prohibited from entering pool halls or bars, and owning logging licences (required to log). The right to vote was granted to Indians in 1960 for federal elections. Other non-white groups acquired voting rights earlier – shortly after World War Two.
Schools were segregated. The last segregated black school (Merlin, Ontario) was closed in 1965. The last Canadian segregated black school (Guysborough, Nova Scotia) was closed in 1983.[23]
(via- Racial Segregation:Canada
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Racial_segregation#Canada
)
