During the nineteenth century, children were particularly susceptible
to abuse in factories and work camps. Although the law did not allow
girls under 12 and boys under 14 to work in industry, many did - and
for a fraction of the standard wages.
Union pressure helped bring about the Royal Commission on the
Relations of Labour and Capital (1889). While the Commission results
did little to improve conditions for workers generally, interviews
like those recorded below so appalled Commission members that they
directed the federal government to ensure stronger enforcement of
laws regarding child labour.
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Stanislas Goyette,
a cigar maker fromMontreal, being interviewed during the 1889 Royal
Commission.
 Mr. Goyette, you are a
cigar maker?
 Yes, sir.
How old are you?
Twenty years old.
At what age did you begin
your apprenticeship
At the age of fourteen...
Did you pay any fines during
your apprenticeship?
Yes, sir; that is never
wanting...
Were you ever beaten during
your apprenticeship?
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Yes, sir.
How old were you?
I might have been fourteen or
fifteen.
Who beat you?
The foreman.
Why did he beat you?
For all sorts of reasons.
You do not remember why?
... it was oftenest because
I would not work after regular hours.
Did he strike you with his
hand, his fist or some tool?
With whatever he had in his
hand. He balked at nothing.
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Date Created: October 28, 1999 | Last Updated: July 30, 2010
