British Home Children advocate Sandra Joyce passes away

Courtesy Sandra Joyce.

One of the country’s most dedicated and passionate advocates for raising awareness about the plight of British Home Children in Canada died at Toronto General Hospital on Thursday, February 14.

Sandra Joyce, who was the co-founder and vice-president of British Home Child Group International, was instrumental in the British Home Children receiving an official apology in the House of Commons in 2017.

When asked why she wanted the government to apologize, Ms. Joyce wrote in a message, “We seek this apology in order to acknowledge that this child migrant scheme is an important part of Canadian history and to recognize that it is a legacy that has roots in the harm and displacement of thousands of vulnerable children.

“An apology would help to heal the wounds of separated families and provide a chance for more people to discover their family history within the context of a proud Canadian culture.”

In her pursuit to educate as many as possible about British Home Children, Ms. Joyce wrote at least three books, including The Street Arab, and delivered more than 200 presentations across Canada and the United States.

Ms. Joyce’s father and uncle were among the more than 100,000 impoverished children sent to Canada from the British Isles between 1869 and the 1930s. While many believed the children would have a better chance for a healthy, moral life in rural Canada, families here often welcomed them as a source of cheap farm labour and domestic help.

Ms. Joyce studied journalism at Ryerson University and became an award-winning publicist while working for CBS Records. She was also a contractor negotiator for the German Department of Defence. After her return to Canada, she became a consultant for an independent music company and an English teacher.

She was a native Torontonian and had recently moved to Lakefield, Ontario.

Ms. Joyce was predeceased by her partner, Ron Dorman, who passed away in November.

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2 Responses to British Home Children advocate Sandra Joyce passes away

  1. Joyce (Johnson) Hills says:

    Joyce was a remarkable person that put herself to one side to help so many families find their records of information for the British Home Children. Thank you rest in peace. Luv and blessings to all your family, Joyce (Johnson) Hills.

  2. Linda Harvey says:

    How very tragic. Her family must be devaststed after jusr loosing Ron.
    I’m so very sorry and saddend. I I ead all her books and was inspired to enquire more.

    She hasv left a Canadian legacy hopefully shared with school.children to learn more of these vital Canadian historical events.

    RIP Sandra and thank you. Linda Harvey a daughter of a BHC

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