History of Immigration in Canada - Timeline AssignmentBy Ashutosh Agarwal

Apr.4, 2015

Chinese Head Tax-1855In 1855 the government put a special tax on Chinese immigrants in hopes of reducing the amount of Chinese immigrant entering Canada. The tax at that time was $50.The tax would later increase greatly preventing families from being together. In 1903 the tax was raised to $500/person to eliminate Chinese immigration. However employers needed cheap labour and paid the tax for workers. The workers didn't get the opportunity to be joined by their families. This created a male Chinese society. In 2006 the government apologized for the head tax.

Komagata Maru-May 23, 1914The Komagata Maru took off from Hong Kong carrying 376 passengers arrived in Burrard Inlet, Vancouver. The passengers were all British subjects, who were challenging the Continuous Passage regulation. Due to challenging the regulation the ship was denied docking and after 2 months the ship was escorted out of the harbor by the Canadian military. Upon entering India nineteen passengers were killed by gunfire and others imprisoned. In 2008 the government apologized for the incident but the apology was not accepted.

I nternment of Ukrainian Canadians- 1914-1920(WW1) During World War 1 the Canadian government interned 8579 enemy aliens into interment camps. Many of these aliens were civilians who were Ukrainian or had Ukrainian decent. Those not in camps were forced to carry identity papers and report regularly to local police stations. The government forced many into working on massive project such as the development of Banff National park. The internees has their wealth taken away, but were getting paid 25 cents per day. The internees were also denied their rights and privileges during the war.

A head tax receipt

Passengers aboard the ship

Internment of Italian Canadians- 1941After Italy declared war Canada began arresting Italian Canadians, seizing property, and revoking rights. Many were sent to internment camps for the entire war. Those who were not sent to camps were photographed, fingerprinted and had to report to the RCMP monthly. Businesses were ruined, families started to become poor, entire ethnic groups were condemned. After the war many Italian Canadian began to hide their ethnicity, move to places so they could live by themselves and stayed away from those who had moved to Canada after the war.

Internment of Japanese Canadians- 24 February, 1942The attack on Pearl Harbor created an explosion of anger and fear towards Japanese Canadians. The RCMP began arresting suspected operative, impounding ships, moving families from their houses to camps, and shutting down Japanese schools and newspapers. The camps had no barbed wires, running water or electricity. At the war the Japanese were given two choices: go back to Japan or head east of the Rockies. Many went back to war-torn Japan while others headed east.

Immigration Act-1976The Immigration Act represented a significant change in Canadian immigration. It was the first act to clearly outline the fundamentals, define refugees as a class and impose responsibility on the government to plan for future immigration. Under the act three classes were recognized: immigrants selected on the points system, a family class for the immediate family of citizens and permanent residents, and refugees. The act also helped in creating a list of things preventing someone from entering.

Ukrainian internees at camp

A sketch of camp Petawawa

A group of children on a train to an internment camp

Creation of Immigration categories-1976The immigration act also created the first immigration categories: The independent class, the humanitarian class, the family class and the assisted relative class. The independent class was for individuals applying for themselves. The humanitarian class was for refugees and those in fear of persecution. The family class was for the immediate family members of those who live in Canada. The assisted relative class was for the distant relatives of those who live in Canada and have some of the independent requirements. In 1980 the business class was added for those were willing to bring financial capital to Canada.

Refugee being added as an immigration category-1976

In 1976, the government introduces a new immigration act which included the refugee category. The refugees are defined by the UN and those in fear of persecution. The refugee category allows Canada to fulfil it commitment as a member of the UN who was at the Convention Relating to the Status of Refugees. Around 11 percent of immigrants arrive under the refugee and humanitarian class. Canada has 2 major refugee categories: resettled refugees and those who make claims within Canada. Resettled refugees are those who are sponsored abroad by the government, UN or private organizations. Canada has a long-standing humanitarian tradition of resettling refugees.

Singh decision- April 3, 1985Individuals from India tried to claim the status of refugee and were denied it. According to the government the individuals had no status in their country they were not status to the act. The issue was taken to the Supreme Court where the court allowed the appeal and found that their rights were violated and that the act does apply to them. The case was a big deal because denying the status of refugee to the claimant could be a violation of the Canadian charter of rights and freedoms. Since then all those that claim refugee statuses have a full oral hearing before bodies or civil servants.

A picture of the Immigration Act 1976

An advertisement for the skilled worker category

Canada's immigration minister welcoming refugees at a ceremony

Immigration and Refugee Protection Act-2002The Immigration and Refugee Protection Act (IPRA) was passed in 2002.It replaces the Immigration act of 1976. The act tightened the eligibility requirements for immigrants and refugees. It also allows the Canadian governments to arrest, detain, or deport immigrants on the suspicion that they may be a security threat. It also makes sure that refugees are permitted to make claims in their country of entry. The act also allows those who are married to bring their partners to Canada.

A 25tth anniversary picture of the Singh decision

A picture of the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act