Construction Unions in Toronto, Ontario, Canada - by Moses

  In 1945 my Cousin Henry Kay was freed by the allied forces from the Concentration Camp Dachau.  He lost his entire nuclear family in the Holocaust.  My Grandfather (Henry's Uncle) in Toronto took him in, and he lived with my Mom and Uncle for a couple of years (taking up work in construction soon after arriving).  He started out a bricklayers helper and worked for 45 years in the field.  In the years' Henry Kay spent in construction with the Union he observed that there were ZERO Indigenous Peoples, ZERO 'Blacks'. ZERO Asians, ZERO Muslims, ZERO Hindu, ZERO Russian Canadians, and very few Jewish people (with several others minorities being discriminated against likewise).  By 1990 we saw the breakdown of construction unions being majority Italian-Canadian and Portuguese Canadian (making up around 75% of the labor force).  It's a disgusting practice really;  Segregating a workforce to always make sure their ethnicity are always employed, and conveniently excusing themselves to hiring outside their heritage, saying 'there is no work' to any Asian Canadian, or 'Black' Canadian (or any of the aforementioned ethnic minorities for that matter).  The problem is that when a locale in Toronto wants a bricklayer helper today, many will hire illegal immigrants for the simple reason of them being Italian or Portuguese.  When an Asian or 'Black' tries to break into the Union many locales will stereotype and cite 'we're not hiring' - for the simple reason that they are Asian or 'Black'. 

  Why can't Toronto impose affirmative action within construction unions to ensure income earners within the Indigenous Peoples, 'Black', and Asian communities (among other minorities)?  Why can't Toronto have a breakdown of 15% Italian Canadian, 15% Portuguese Canadian, 15% Indigenous Peoples, 15% 'Black', 15% Asian, and 25% other ethnic minorities.  This breakdown is still biased, but at least it would be a good start.  When Branch Rickey was asked in 1947 why it was important to employ the services of one 'Black' Jackie Robinson he replied 'What would I tell my Maker if I didn't?'  It is now 2020 and we're still playing this twisted game of segregation.