Hugh Burnett facts for kids

Hugh Burnett (July 14, 1918 – September 29, 1991) was an African-Canadian carpenter and a civil rights leader. He was a determined activist who worked hard to end unfair treatment against Black people in Canada. Burnett's efforts helped change laws and make Canada a more equal place for everyone. He is remembered for his bravery and for leading important campaigns for fairness.

Hugh Burnett's Fight for Fairness

Hugh Burnett was a strong and determined person. He worked as a carpenter but spent much of his life fighting against discrimination. Discrimination means treating someone unfairly because of their race, background, or other differences. In the early 1950s, Burnett lived in a town where Black people were often treated differently. For example, some restaurants and stores would not serve them.

Working for Change

To fight this unfairness, Burnett gathered support from groups in Toronto. One important group was the Joint Labour Committee on Human Rights. This committee included people like Donna Hill and well-known labour activist Bromley Armstrong. Together, they worked to make things better.

New Laws for Equality

Burnett and his supporters met with Ontario Premier Leslie Frost. Their hard work led to two important laws in Ontario:

• The Fair Employment Practices Act: This law made it illegal to treat people unfairly in workplaces. It meant everyone should have an equal chance at jobs.
• The Fair Accommodation Practices Act: This law made it illegal to discriminate in public places. This included restaurants, stores, and other places open to everyone.

Even with these new laws, some people in Dresden still practiced discrimination. Burnett and his family faced challenges because of this.

Hugh Burnett's Lasting Legacy

Hugh Burnett's work had a huge impact on human rights in Canada. His efforts helped create a fairer society for all.

A Special Plaque in Dresden

Today, a special plaque stands in Dresden, Ontario. It is on the main street, near a restaurant that once refused to serve Burnett. The plaque tells the story of his important work.

The National Unity Association

The plaque honors Hugh Burnett and the National Unity Association (NUA). This group was active between 1948 and 1956. They led a strong campaign for racial equality and social justice. Their goal was to make sure everyone was treated fairly, no matter their race.

The NUA's work was very important. It helped lead to the Fair Accommodation Practices Act in 1954. This law was a big step forward. It also helped set the stage for other human rights laws in Ontario and across Canada.

Changing Canadian Law

Before Burnett and the NUA, some old laws allowed discrimination. For example, businesses could refuse service based on race. The NUA helped change this way of thinking. They showed that freedom from discrimination is a basic right for everyone. This led to a major change in Canadian law and history.

Hugh Burnett and the NUA were pioneers. They helped define equality rights for all Canadians. These rights are now part of the "Charter of Rights and Freedoms" in Canada's constitution. This means these rights are protected by the highest law in the country.