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Chinese Head Tax
Canada's government didn't want very many more Chinese immigrants coming to Canada, so it forced Chinese immigrants, with some exceptions, to pay a tax to enter Canada. They thought that this way people from Asia could not afford to go to Canada. The head tax was part of the Chinese Immigration Act, which included more laws that intended to repel Chinese people from Canada. They had to pay $50 (which is over $1,000 today), then the amount increased to $100, then $500. -
Internment of Ukrainian Canadians
Ukrainians and some Germans, even if they were already Canadian citizens, were forced to go to concentration camps and do labor. Their possessions and homes were sold or confiscated, all because Canada feared that they were spies. This was allowed because of the War Measures Act and they were set free after the war ended. Later, in 2005, Canada provided $10 million for the group of people who were interned. Most of the internees were men who were capable of doing hard work. -
Komagata Maru Incident
A boat from China came into Vancouver, however, the people of the boat were not allowed to come ashore and eventually were forced to set sail again back to China. This is because Canada had previously made a law that stated that people who come to Canada from India in a ship that had stopped somewhere in between the two places could not enter the country. No ship company didn't stop somewhere in between at the time, so it was really just a ban for Indian people to come to Canada. -
Internment Of Italian Canadians
Many Italians in Canada, even if they already lived there, were forced to go to concentration camps. The ones who were not interned still had to check in with the RCMP every month because they were considered to be "enemy aliens". This was allowed because the the War Measures Act, as this took place during WWII. Even after some people were interned for multiple years, Canada's government only apologized, but never gave any compensation. -
Internment of Japanese Canadians
The Japanese in Canada, who were already being persecuted, now were forced into concentration camps. This is because Japan had waged war on the US, and Canada's government was worried that they could be spies. Their attack on Pearl Harbor started this war, called WWII. Many years after the confinement ended, in 1988, Canada admitted that it was sorry and gave $21,000 to each person that was forced into internment. -
Creation of Immigration Categories
Canada created Immigration Categories in the Immigration Act. These categories organize people into different groups based on their current situation or history. One example of a category is the "Family Class". They help encourage or discourage Canada to allow someone to immigrate into the country. -
Refugees Being Added As An Immigration Category
Refugees were added as an Immigration category so that refugees can come to Canada at any time, rather than only after certain emergencies. The category was added in the Immigration Act for the first time. Canada wanted to protect people's rights and safety, even if they are from a different country. Canada wants all people to be free -
Immigration Act
Later replaced by the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act, the Immigration Act included regulations on what kinds of people could enter Canada. There were less regulations then than there are today. Therefore, it was more inviting to immigrants than today. The act also created categories for different types of people who come into Canada. Canada no longer blocked whole groups of people, but rather singular people. -
Singh Decision
Refugees that seek shelter in Canada have the right to be given a good, non-prejudiced hearing and supplies for living until the trial. This is because a man named Mr. Singh came to Canada and wanted to live there as a refugee. However, Canada sent him off without even a hearing, as it allows in the Immigration Act, so he sent them to court. It turned out that doing this violated the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, so these laws were made. -
Immigration and Refugee Protection Act
The Immigration and Refugee Protection Act has more regulations now compared to the Immigration Act, which this one replaced. Now Canada is not so lenient on who can enter the country. It has made Canada a more safe place to live because it is careful who they let in. It makes the rules of immigration more clear.
