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Secret Life of Canada

Crash Course: How Black students led Canada's largest student protest

Named the "Sir George Williams Affair," it is now considered to be the largest student protest in Canadian history. 

The 1969 protest is known as the "Sir George Williams Affair"

CBC Podcasts ·
A group of students march on the streets of Montreal in 1969.
Protesters marched and waved signs during the 13-day affair. One sign reads, "After 10 months, this is it." (Concordia University Records Management and Archive (1074-02-037))

It would become one of the key moments in Black history in Canada. In 1968, six Black students from Sir George Williams University (now known as Concordia University) in Montreal filed a complaint of racism against their biology professor. By 1969, the university denied their complaint and more than 200 students began a peaceful sit-in. By the end of it, a fire broke out, police in riot-gear were sent in and 97 people were arrested. Named the "Sir George Williams Affair," it is now considered to be the largest student protest in Canadian history. 

Here is a link to previous episode mentioned in this episode:

  • The Province of Jamaica: https://link.chtbl.com/OOwfXRW2

Take a listen to this week's crash course to find out more. Listen to more episodes here, and get transcripts of our series here.

Key References