At a time when non-white immigration to Canada was restricted, some 3,000 women from the Caribbean entered Canada as domestic workers through this immigration program. It was created by the federal government as part of an effort to improve diplomatic and economic relations across the English-speaking Caribbean. Initially on one-year contracts, the women faced racial discrimination and were paid less than white domestic workers. Settling primarily in Toronto and Montréal, many were later joined by their families and became leaders in various professional pursuits, contributing to the growth of Caribbean culture in Canada.