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1497
John Cabbot arrives in Canada
This is the year that the explorer John Cabbot arrived in Canada. He discovered waters rich in fish in Newfoundland. This resulted in the arrival of large numbers of European fisherman. -
1541
Jacques Cartier founds a settlement
Explorer Jacques Cartier founded the first French settlement in Canada. This settlement was called Charlesbourg-Royal. A lot of French people immigrated to this settlement -
French traders immigrate to Canada
Felt hats made with beaver pelts were very popular in the early 1600s. Many French traders came to Canada to get these precious pelts. French traders traded with Natives for beaver pelts in exchange for metal tools and weapons. -
Samuel de Champlain founds New France
Samuel de Champlain founded the permanent French settlement of New France, which is modern day Quebec City. Around 65,000 Europeans arrived in New France between the years of 1608 and 1760 so this was a big immigration event -
German immigrants arrive in Nova Scotia
the Germans learned quickly and their children were known for being expert fishermen, boat builders, and sailors. Around 1500 Germans arrived in Canada -
The Battle of the Plains of Abraham
The British invasion defeated the French resulting in Quebec's surrender to British. The Battle of the Plains of Abraham is an important event in Canadian immigration history because it was a core cause of the sentiments behind the American Revolution -
The Quebec Act
The Quebec Act was enacted in 1174. The purpose of this act was to gain the loyalty and favour of French Canadians by giving them desired rights. The Quebec Act affected immigration as more French people would want to come to Canada because of better rights. -
Loyalists arrive in Canada
Loyalists were American colonists that allied themselves with the British. Around 35 thousand Loyalists migrated to Canada during the American Revolution. -
Black Loyalists come to Canada
About 3,000 black slaves became "Black Loyalists" the British offered african americans freedom and a farm if they fought in war against the US. Many black loyalists didn't ever receive the land they were promised. -
The Great Migration
The Great Migration of Canada was a period where over 800 thousand immigrants came to Canada in search of jobs because of the Industrial Revolution. -
Scottish Immigrants arrive in Canada
Around 170,000 Scottish people arrived from Scotland to Canada. Most Scottish immigrants ended up being farmers -
Irish immigrants arrive in Canada
About 759 thousand immigrants from Ireland settled in the Maritimes region. Unlike the Scottish, the Irish wanted to work a job, providing cheap labour and working on construction projects rather than setting up farms. -
The Underground Railroad
About 40 thousand black slaves arrive in Canada through the Underground Railroad. This event is known as the largest anti-slavery movement in North America. -
Chinese immigrants arrive in Canada
About 29 thousand Chinese immigrants came to Canada. Most came to B.C. from southern China. About 50% of the immigrants came to work on the Canadian Pacific Railway. The Chinese Head Tax was later a thing in order to stop Chinese immigrants. -
Alberta and Saskatchewan promotes immigration to the prairies
Alberta and Saskatchewan were created as individual provinces in 1905 and more people wanted to live in these "new" lands