Overview
A searing account of Britain’s child resettlement scheme and the forgotten children sent to build Canada.
In the seven decades between 1869 and 1939, more than 100,000 so-called “gutter children” from institutional care homes in the United Kingdom were shipped to Canada for better lives. But if ever there was a classic case of government-sanctioned philanthropy that went sideways, this was it. Today, we’d condemn this child emigration initiative for what it really was: human trafficking in the guise of philanthropy.
Most home children left Britain reluctantly and were sent to Canada with no say in their fate. Those deemed old enough to work were bound by contracts that turned them into indentured labourers, compelled to earn their keep in often harsh conditions.
As many as four million Canadians, roughly one in every ten of us, can trace their family roots to home-child ancestors.Their story is one of the most shameful and consequential in Canada’s history, yet it is scarcely taught and little understood.
Ken Cuthbertson’s new book fills a yawning gap, bringing this neglected past to light with the narrative drive of the best fiction. It is essential reading for anyone who wants to understand who Canadians were—and are.
While major retailers like Amazon may carry Seven Bucks a Head (The Scandalous Child Resettlement Scheme That Built a Nation), we specialize in bulk book sales and offer personalized service from our friendly, book-smart team based in Portland, Oregon. We’re proud to offer a Price Match Guarantee and a streamlined ordering experience from people who truly care.
We’re trusted by over 75,000 customers, many of whom return time and again. Want proof? Just check out our 25,000+ customer reviews—real feedback from people who love how we do business.
Prefer to talk to a real person? Our Book Specialists are here Monday–Friday, 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. PST and ready to help with your bulk order of Seven Bucks a Head (The Scandalous Child Resettlement Scheme That Built a Nation).