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Chinese Head Tax
The Chinese Head Tax was imposed on people coming from China it's purpose was to deter Chinese people from entering Canada. The lowest cost for entering Canada was $50 the highest was in 1904 and it was set at $500. The Canadian government tried to slow down the number of Chinese citizens coming to Canada because they no longer needed workers on the Pacific Railway. The Canadian Government made about $33 million from the tax which is $317 million in today's money. -
Komagata Maru Incident
In 1914 a ship carrying immigrants from British India landed in Vancouver. Many of the people aboard were not allowed to disembark because of Canada's immigration laws at the time. The immigration laws at the time said that anyone from India would be allowed to immigrate as long as the ship didn't stop anywhere between India and Canada. The Komagata Maru had stopped in Japan so only 24 of the 376 were allowed into Canada. -
Internment of Ukrainian Canadians
During World War One the government of Canada imprisoned more than 8,000 people of Ukrainian and German descent. They were sent to camps for being "enemy aliens" at the time. The camps that they were sent to were work camps that had terrible conditions. Many people died in these camps because of illness, lack of food, and hard working conditions. Once the war was finished the government apologized to those interned and offered their sincerest apologies -
Internment of Italian Canadians
Another group that was interned during World War 2 were the Italian Canadians. Around 700 Italians were interned under the War Measures Act. Mainly young men were arrested but often times their families would follow. The government seized some of the property of those arrested. -
Internment of Japanese Canadians
Under the War Measures Act Canadians with Japanese ancestry were moved into interment camps during World War 2. The arrests started the day that the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbour. These arrests were mainly moving Japanese Canadians away from the coast and further inland in BC. These people had to leave with only what they could carry and once they were released many people had lost everything. The government sold their homes,businesses and property instead of protecting it. -
The Immigration Act 1976
The Immigration Act of 1976 stated who would be allowed into Canada as immigrants. Individuals who were seen as "burdens" on either the social welfare or health services would be denied entry rather than specific groups. It also created 4 new immigration classes: refugees,families, assisted relatives, independent refugees. -
Creation of Immigration Classes
The creation of the immigration classes coincided with the creation of the Immigration Act of 1967. The four classes that were created were refugees, families, assisted relatives, and independent immigrants. Independent immigrants were assessed based on a point system, the other classes did not have to take this test. However they did have to pass basic criminal, security, and health tests. -
Refugees being added as an Immigration Class
In 1951 Canada signed the U.N. Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees. This had to do with stating that refugees would not be returned to their home country where they will face serious threats. During the 1950's and 60's Canada offered asylum to refugees in response to specific world crisis such as the Ugandan refugee crisis. In 1976 Canada made refugees one of it's immigration classes this meant that it would accept immigrants more steadily rather than crisis by crisis. -
The Singh Decision
Satnam Singh came to Canada claiming refugee status from India but was denied that status once he got to Canada. He was not allowed to defend himself in person under the Immigration Act of 1976. The Supreme Court of Canada ruled that this violated the Charter of Rights under Section 7 which says everyone has the right to life, liberty, and security. In result April 4 is now known as Refugee Day. -
Immigration and Refugee Protection Act
Created in 2001 the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act helped establish guidelines for the government when accepting immigrants. The Act didn't come into full force until June 8 2002 and it set stricter requirements for people immigrating into Canada and looking for work. The Act also had an increase in the authorities ability to arrest immigrants they thought were involved in a threat to public security. In spite of the restrictions Canada is seen as one of the most open countries post-9/11
