Last Steps to Freedom: The Evolution of Canadian Racism

To understand Canada one must understand racism, for Canada was born and grew as a racist state. Race riots, segregated schools, racially-based union membership, mass deportations of innocent people, the state sanctioned kidnapping of children, a conscious attempt at cultural genocide and much more have shaped Canada’s history. Last Steps to Freedom: The Evolution of Canadian Racism encourages Canadians to look truthfully at their past, admit mistakes, atone for crimes and applaud progress. The book is organized chronologically, by region, and by ethnic group. It traces the experiences of Chinese, Ukrainian, Jewish, Japanese, Black, and Native Canadians. In each case, early activities and contributions by groups and individuals are explored. People mysteriously absent from our history books such as Viola Desmond, Big Bear, Ivan Pylipiw and others are celebrated. The systemic racism against which they struggled is explained.

John Boyko's books include Last Steps to Freedom, Into the Hurricane, Bennett, Blood and Freedom, Sir John's Echo, Cold Fire, and The Devil's Trick: How Canada Fought the Vietnam War. Boyko writes op ed columns for newspapers across Canada, is a sought-after public speaker, and is a contributor to the Canadian Encyclopedia. Boyko earned degrees from Trent, Queen's, and McMaster Universities. He was chair of the Peterborough Social Planning Council, the Lakefield Library Board, and the Lakefield Literary Festival, and is the former Dean of History at Lakefield College. He lives in Lakefield, Ontario.