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Chinese Head Tax
The Chinese head tax was created when a new law(The Chinese Immigration Act 1885) was passed. It was a tax of $50 that all Chinese arriving in Canada had to pay. As the result of the government's amendments to the law, the tax was later raised to $500. This was a result of discrimination against the Chinese, and it was passed to try to prevent them from immigrating to Canada. -
Komagata Maru Incident
The Komagatu Maru was a ship that sailed from Hong Kong to Vancouver in 1914. It carried 376 passengers. Upon arrival at Vancouver it was detained by authorities. All of its passengers were from Punjab, British India. 24 of its passengers were allowed in to Canada, the rest were sent away as a result of Canada's discriminatory laws. It was one of several similar incidents that occurred around this time. -
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Internment of Ukrainian Canadians
Two years after the end of World War II, and for six years thereafter, 4000 Ukrainian men as well as many women and children were interned under the War Measures Act. Another 80 000 were not detained, but were registered as "enemy aliens" and had to report to authorities regularly. This was because the Canadian government feared that they might be enemy spies. -
Interment of Italian Canadians
On June 10, 1940, thousands of Italian Canadians were identified as enemy aliens and placed in internment camps. This was Canada had declared war on Italy, and it's Italian citizens were deemed a threat to Canada's security and thought to be enemy spies. -
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Internment of Japanese Canadians
The Internment of Japanese Canadians was an event following the attack on pearl harbour. The Canadian government seized Japanese property, including homes and businesses. For eight years, Japanese Canadians were put in internment camps. This was because World war II was happening and the Canadian government saw the Japanese people as a threat. -
Creation of Immigration Categories
The immigration categories were created to help control who immigrated into Canada. The first were economic immigrants, who came to find work and boost Canada's economy. The second were family class immigrants, those who were an immediate family member of another immigrant. Also added at this time was the refugee category. -
Immigration Act
The Immigration Act was a new act concerning immigrants. Its main goal was to focus on who should be allowed into Canada, not who should be kept out. It also introduced the points system for economic immigrants. Under this act, provincial governments also got more control over what types of immigrants settled in their province. -
Refugees Added as an Immigration Category
Refugees were added as an immigration category in 1976. This was significant because before this, refugees ware taken in on a crisis by crisis basis. If there was a significant disaster or war, Canada would allow refugees in. Once refugees became an immigration category, they were accepted steadily instead. Anyone who had a reasonable fear of persecution in their own country could claim refugee status and come to Canada. -
Singh Decision
The Singh Decision occurred when Satnam Singh attempted to come to Canada as a refugee. The immigration act did not allow him entrance, and he was turned away without a court hearing. The supreme court ruled that this violated the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, section 7. As a result, anyone seeking refugee status in Canada is given a hearing in court which they are present at. -
Immigration and Refugee Protection Act
The Immigration and Refugee Protection Act is an law passed in 2002. It was put in place to allow Canada to pursue all benefits of immigration, reunite families in Canada, promote health and safety, and protect Canada's culture. It also fulfills Canada's obligation to refugees as well as offer a safe haven for them. In short, it reaffirms Canada's commitment to protect refugees as well as Canadian's safety from them.