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Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters Plaque

Commemorating the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters' fight for equality and their lasting impact on Canadian labor and civil rights history.

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A Heritage Toronto plaque commemorating the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, the first Black union in Canada to sign an agreement with its employer, the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR), marking a pivotal moment in Canadian labor and civil rights history. Located on Bremner Boulevard, it stands as a reminder of the struggle against institutional racism faced by Black railway workers.

A brief summary to Historic Plaque: Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters

  • 272 Bremner Blvd Suite 260, Toronto, Old Toronto, Ontario, M5V 2T6, CA

Local tips

  • Combine your visit with a walk along the waterfront for a more enriching experience.
  • Visit during the day for the best lighting for photographs of the plaque and surrounding area.
  • Take time to read the plaque's inscription to fully appreciate its historical significance.
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Getting There

  • Public Transport

    The plaque is easily accessible via public transportation. From Union Station, walk west along Bremner Boulevard for about 10 minutes. Alternatively, take the 509 Harbourfront streetcar to the ‘Bay St. at Queens Quay’ stop, then walk east along Queens Quay to Bremner Boulevard and turn left. A single TTC fare is approximately $3.35 CAD, payable by cash, credit, debit, or PRESTO card. PRESTO cards offer a slightly discounted fare of $3.30 CAD and allow for free transfers within a 2-hour period. GO Transit also connects to Union Station, with fares varying depending on the departure station.

  • Walking

    If you are near the waterfront, head to 272 Bremner Blvd. Navigate towards Bremner Boulevard, and the plaque is located at Suite 260, a short walk from the waterfront. There are no costs associated with walking.

  • Taxi/Ride-share

    Taxis and ride-sharing services like Uber and Lyft are readily available in Toronto. A short trip from Union Station or nearby attractions to 272 Bremner Blvd will likely cost between $10 and $15 CAD, depending on traffic and surge pricing. Note that these prices are estimates and can vary.

  • Driving

    If driving, enter 272 Bremner Blvd, Suite 260, Toronto, ON M5V 2T6 into your GPS. Limited street parking is available in the area, with costs ranging from $2 to $4 CAD per hour. Several parking garages are also nearby, including the Metro Toronto Convention Centre (MTCC) South Building at 222 Bremner Blvd. Daily maximum rates at nearby garages range from $24 to $49 CAD.

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Discover more about Historic Plaque: Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters

The Historic Plaque: Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters, located at 272 Bremner Blvd in Toronto, commemorates the struggles and achievements of Black railway workers in Canada. For decades, until the late 1980s, the area around this plaque was a large coach yard where sleeping car porters prepared passenger cars for travel across Canada and into the United States. These porters, often recruited from Black communities in Canada, the United States, and the Caribbean, faced systemic racism, including lower pay, limited opportunities for advancement, and exclusion from white railway workers' unions. In 1939, they joined forces with the Brotherhood of Sleeping Car Porters (BSCP), an American union, to fight for their rights. On May 18, 1945, the BSCP became the first Black union in Canada to sign an agreement with the CPR, marking a significant victory. This agreement led to increased salaries, pay for downtime, and, after 1955, the opportunity for promotions to sleeping car conductor. The BSCP's efforts left a lasting legacy, influencing human rights policy and labor relations in Canada. The plaque serves as a reminder of their contributions to Canadian society and the ongoing fight for equality. The work of the Brotherhood also extended to immigration reform. They challenged discriminatory practices that favored European immigrants and advocated for a points-based system that valued education, experience, and language skills. This ultimately led to a more equitable immigration policy in Canada. Today, the plaque stands as a testament to the porters' courage, resilience, and commitment to social justice.

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