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Introduction to Italy's Cause of Emigration
From 1861 to the late nineteenth century, around seven million Italians emigrated globally. In the 1850s, the 1890s and the 1920s, Italy experiences political conflicts, which prompts Italians to leave the country. Italian citizens want a better life without economic disparities and a lack of resources. Italy is going through an industrial capitalization, which is unfavourable to the majority of the population, especially farmers, merchants and artisans (Ramirez, 3). -
Introduction to Italy's Causes of Emigration: Southern Italy
The beginning of industrialization increases in the South of Italy. Agriculture in Southern Italy diminishes as the soil is in ruins and farmers are in debt. Citizens in the South emigrate due to the inability to pay their debts, find new land to cultivate and work in labour abroad. Conflicts and disorder of politics post-World War Two and the unification of Italy cause a mass emigration of Italians to new countries for the next thirty years (Ramirez, 4-5). -
Introduction to Italy's Causes of Emigration: Northern Italy
Industrialization takes off in Northern Italy due to its proximity to major commercial markets. Farmers, artisans, peasants and merchants are most affected by economic activity. These labourers live in rural areas in the North, such as Turin, Milan, Genoa, Leghorn, Vincenza and Biella. The process of a diminishing economy causes a significant amount of Northerners to emigrate. In 1891, 67% of citizens from the North emigrated (Ramirez, 4). -
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Italian Emigration to Canada
During the nineteenth and twentieth centuries, one of Canada's earliest European settlements was by Italian immigrants. Throughout the early years of emigration, Italians experience alienation and stereotypes of the mafia. Nonetheless, the Italians bring a new multicultural into Canada (Sturino, 2019). -
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FIRST EMIGRATION
The first wave of Italian immigrants begins in 1870 until 1914. The harsh economic conditions and the unification of Italy elicits Italians to begin mass immigration to Canada until World War One (Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21, 2020). -
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The Unification of Italy
In the 1870s, the Italian Risorgimento begins, which causes Italian citizens to leave Italy and start a new life. One port that allows access to new immigrants is in New York City. Canada's labour industry is of interest to Italian immigrants through mining, railroads and construction (Government of Canada, 2019). -
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The Travel of Italians
Italians arrive in Canada through one major source, a boat. The boat from Italy docks at Pier 21 in Halifax, Nova Scotia (some Italians also arrive through New York City). Italian immigrants attempt to bring their own cultural foods, such as sausage and cheese; however, the Canadian officials did not allow for the items to be passed. After the Italians arrive by boat, the immigrants take trains to cities they desire to prosper in (Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21). -
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Labour Opportunities in Canada for Italian Immigrants
The Canadian government and the British Empire prefer immigrants from Northern countries in Europe; however, Italians can offer their labour services as seasonal workers. Canadian companies begin recruitment opportunities for manual labour in the railway and coal business. Between 1901 and 1911, 60,000 Italians emigrate to Canada for a better life and more jobs (Global Gathering Place). -
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Italian Immigrants in Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver
From 1900 to 1913, Italian immigrants mainly settle in three major cities, Toronto, Montreal and Vancouver. Over 60,000 Italians came to Canada for reasonable jobs in the Canadian labour force. Young males mostly work jobs in the railways or as seasonal labourers in construction, maintenance and mining. Most Italian men work to send money to their families in Italy. Seasonal workers either emigrate to Canada for a job, then return to Italy or settle (Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21). -
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Italian Neighbourhoods in Toronto
As Italians continue to emigrate to Canada, they begin to establish their own ethnic communities in urban centres. Cities, such as Toronto, are in need of seasonal workers in infrastructures; therefore, the Italian settlement increases. Toronto is a major spot for Italian neighbourhoods, which also creates little pockets called "Little Italy" at College Street and Grace Street, Davenport Avenue and Dufferin Street and the Ward in Downtown Toronto (Global Gathering Place). -
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SECOND EMIGRATION
The second mass of Italian immigrants occurs before the beginning of the Great Depression, which halts most migrations to Canada (Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21). -
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The Inter-War Years for Italians in Canada
In 1924, the Canadian government imposes limitations on Italian immigrants due to prejudices in Canada. These prejudices begin after Italy follows Mussolini's regime and pledges allegiance with Germany. The Italian government did not like the mass migration of Italian citizens leaving the country; therefore, they enact laws to impede emigration (Global Gathering Place). -
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The Inter-War Years for Italians in Canada (Continued)
In 1940, the Canadian government forces captured and held on to Italian immigrants at Camp Petawawa and deny their civil liberties (Global Gathering Place). Between 1940 and 1943, about 600 Italian men are arrested and put into camps due to Italian's belief as "dangerous enemies with fascist connections" (Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21). In 1947, Canada allowed Italian immigrants to settle in Canada after the Enemy Alien Act is enacted (Global Gathering Place). -
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The Inter-War Years for Italians in Canada (Continued)
Around 40,000 Italians emigrate to Canada during the inter-war years. The South of Italy is experiencing economic depression and overpopulation, which drives citizens to leave Italy. As Italian-Canadian males work jobs in urban centres, their wives and children join their husbands and fathers for a new life in Canada (Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21). -
Enemy Aliens
Italian Canadians appreciate Mussolini; however, Canadians disagreed with fascism and portrayed hostile opinions to Italians. Italy was in alliance with Germany during World War Two; therefore, they were portrayed as "enemy aliens" and experienced discrimination. Italian-Canadian men lost their jobs and civil liberties under the War Measures Act. Italian men changed their last names and did not identify as Italian heritage to not be antagonized (Sturino, 2019). -
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HALT IN MIGRATION
During the years of the Depression, a significant decrease in Italian migration occurs in Canada. From 1921 to 1930, 26,183 Italians are immigrants in Canada. However, from the years 1931-1940, there is a 22,285 decrease in Italian immigrants, leaving Canada with 3,898 citizens in migration (Ramirez, 7). -
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MASS OF ITALIAN IMMIGRANTS
Italy is one of the largest sources of immigrants in Canada after Great Britain (Ramirez, 6-7). After the two world wars and the Depression-era, Italian citizens can return to emigrating to Canada as the economy betters. -
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THIRD AND LARGEST EMIGRATION
The third and largest migration of Italians occurs between 1950 and 1970. Many immigrants migrate to Canada due to their kinship ties and labour shortages in Italy (Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21). -
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Jobs and Family
Government-sponsored one-year contracts for Italians when they arrive in Canada. The contracts offer work in industries that have short labour. Italians also came to Canada through the chain-migration. The chain-migration allowed for family members in Canada to sponsor their families in Italy in order to move (Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21). -
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The Increase of the Italian Population
The mass immigration throughout the 50s, 60s and 70s increases the Italian population in Canada to 450,000. During the 1950s, over 20,000 Italian immigrants settle annually. Italian immigrants begin to establish social clubs and banquet halls for festivals and religious sacraments (Global Gathering Place). -
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Immigrants from Southern Italy Migrate to Toronto
A significant amount of Italian immigrants during the 1950s and early 1960s migrate from the South of Italy. The new immigrants aid the labour industry after the post-war economic boom in construction and craftsmen jobs. More immigrants allow for the expansion of kinship networks in Toronto (Global Gathering Place). -
Italian Immigrant Aid Society
As a mass migration occurs in Canada, the Italian community forms the Italian Aid Society. The organization aids new immigrants as they transition into a new life in Canada (Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21). -
Italian's in Construction
In the 1960s, more than 15,000 Italian men work in the construction industry for Toronto. Most urban centre industries are dominated by Italian males. The workers are often mistreated, but after the Hogg's Hollow Disaster in 1960, the conditions of the workforce better (Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21). -
Italy is Restored
In the 1960s, the economy in Italy improves and is in a state of recovery; therefore, Italian citizens did not emigrate as often (Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21). From 1961 to 1970, there is a decrease in Italian migration to Canada. Around 190, 760 Italian citizens emigrate in the 1960s in comparison to 250,812 immigrants in the 1950s in Canada (Ramirez, 7). The largest boom of immigrants occurs in the 50s until Italy is in restoration during the 60s. -
Villa Colombo
As the first immigrants to Canada grow elderly, the need for a home for seniors is established. Villa Colombo became a nursing home to house elders and hosted important events in the Italian community. The Italians spoke about issues that negatively affect their community and culture. (Global Gathering Place). Today, two Villa Colombo sites are situated in Toronto and Vaughn, while many charities and organizations are integral to the establishment. -
Italian Population in Recent Years
According to statistics in 2016, 59% of Italians live in Ontario, 21% of Italian immigrants live in Quebec and 10% of the Italian population lives in British Columbia. The majority of Italian immigrants live in cities, such as Toronto and Montreal. The population of Italian immigrants in Toronto in 2016 is 484,360 and in Montreal is 279,795. The Italian population makes for 1,587,960 in Canada (Sturino, 2019).
