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First major immigration of Chinese
First major immigration of the Chinese was during the gold rush of 1858, they came for work and to make money. -
Government attempts to ban Chinese immigrants
In 1882 the government of British Columbia attempted to ban immigration of Chinese, but this was later denied by John A. MacDonald because they needed labourers. -
Chinese head tax
The Chinese head tax was originally made in 1885, it started off being $50, which was quite a lot back then. -
Reason why the Chinese head tax was created
The Chinese head tax was established to keep Chinese immigrants out after the Canadian Pacific Railway was completed, they made this for the sheer purpose of keeping them out because they did not need them anymore. -
Period: to
Chinese Head Tax Span
From 1885 until 1949, when the last province ended its head tax, Chinese immigrants were given certificates as proof that they paid the tax.
This tax did not apply to diplomats, tourists, merchants, men of science & students. -
Chinese head tax 2
Head tax was raised to $100. -
Chinese head tax 3
Three years later the head tax got raised up to $500. -
Head tax is abolished
Head tax was completely abolished in Canada. -
Apology to the Chinese Canadians
Prime minister Stephen Harper apologized to Chinese Canadians in the house of commons. -
Money gained from the Chinese head tax
The Chinese head tax assembled around 23 million dollars.
$500 (1903) = $100,000 (2021) -
Questions we have:
1: In what way made the people of Canada put a tax on Chinese immigrants? How did the Chinese immigrants feel about the tax? 2: How did the Canadian Government treat the immigrants compared to the white settlers? Why did they still travel here even though there was a head tax on them?
