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Chinese Head Tax
After the Chinese Immigration Act of 1885 was passed, a fixed fee was required to be payed by each Chinese person entering Canada. The Head taxed was introduced to help control the Chinese immigration to Canada after the Canadian Pacific Railway was completed. The fee was originally $50 but after being amended several times the head tax reached its maximum amount of $500 in 1904. -
Internment of Ukrainian Canadians
IN 1914, during the first world war thousands of Ukrainians were interned and were part of the confinement of "enemy aliens" under the War Measures Act. They were kept in twenty-four internment camps which were, at the time, known as concentration camps. Those who were not interned were also considered "enemy aliens" and faced discrimination and employment loss. -
Komagata Maru Incident
In 1914, a Japanese steamship named Komagata Maru sailed from Hong Kong to Vancouver with 376 passengers wishing to immigrate to Canada. After arriving, 24 of the 376 passengers were admitted to Canada and the others were denied entry and were forced to return to India. -
Internment of Italian Canadians
In 1940, Italy declared war on Canada days later Italian Canadians were labelled "enemy aliens". The status of "enemy alien" was immediately placed on non-resident Italians over 16 years of age and on Italian-Canadians who became British subjects after September 1929. The Italian families who were not interned had to deal with public hostility, ethnic slurs, vandalism, and the boycott of most Italian businesses which led to many men and women losing their jobs. -
Internment of Japanese Canadians
In 1941, shortly after the attack on pearl harbor Canada began detaining Japanese Canadians. They sent them to internment camps and took possession of all their property and businesses. Against their promises of safekeeping for the Japanese Canadians property they sold the majority of their property to fund the Internment. In 1944, Japanese Canadians were to move east into prisoner of war camps or past the Rocky Mountains. -
Creation of Immigration Categories
The Immigration Act of 1976 created four classes of immigrants. They are: refugees, families, assisted relatives, and independent/economic immigrants. The 1976 Act also created a point system for economic class immigrants. The point system is part of the criteria Canada uses to decide who to accept as immigrants. -
Refugees being added as an immigration category
Refugees were added as an immigration category in the Immigration Act of 1976. This means that Canada now is accepting refugees steadily instead of crisis by crisis. Canada wants to save lives and offer protection to people who are displaced and persecuted as well as fulfill and affirm Canada's international commitments to protect refugees. -
Immigration Act
The Immigration Act was passed in 1976 and focused on who should be allowed in Canada, not who should be kept out. The act came into force in 1978 and gave more power to the provinces to set their own immigration laws. -
Singh Decision
Satnam Singh came to Canada from India and was seeking refugee status but was rejected under the Immigration Act of 1976. The result was: People claiming refugee status in Canada have the right to a hearing, which they attend in person. Canada established the Immigration and Refugee Board to provide quick and fair hearings. Canada’s government provides people seeking refugee status with the necessities of life while they wait for a hearing. -
Immigration and Refugee Protection Act
The Immigration and Refugee Protection Act was passed in 2001, put into force in 2002, and replaced the Immigration Act of 1976. Objectives for Immigration: Pursue social, cultural, and economic benefits for all Canadians. Respect the bilingual and multicultural character of Canada. Support the development of minority official language communities in Canada. Share the benefits of immigration and support a prosperous economy across all regions of Canada. Reunite families in Canada.
