-
Chinese Head Tax
The Chinese head tax was introduced when the government passed the Chinese Immigration Act which included a $50 head tax. Over the next 40 years the tax would grow to $500 which is more that a years pay for the average Asian worker at the time. This tax was mainly implemented to discourage Asian immigrants from coming to the country. -
Komagata Maru Incident
The Komagata Maru was a ship Travelling from Hong Kong to Vancouver. It was carrying many Indian immigrants. Unfortunately the Asian Exclusion act in Canada at the time stopped the boat from unloading. the act stated that any boat would have to make a direct journey to Canada from the country of its origin. This was nearly impossible for the Maru to do this so they made a detour. After two months the Komagata Maru was forced to return to India. -
The internment of Ukrainian Canadians
The internment began in 1914 with the beginning of the first world war. Canada was at war with Austro- Hungarian forces which included Ukraine at the time. Over 4,000 " enemy aliens" were imprisoned n camps for fear of espionage. The internment ended in 1920 -
End of Chinese Head Tax
Took place in 1923. -
Internment of Italian Canadians
The internment began when Italy, a major partner of Germany in world war 2, declared war on Canada. Days later all Italians over the age of 16 were declared enemy aliens and were sent forcefully to internment camps for fear of espionage. -
Internment of Japanese Canadians
Beginning after the attack on Pearl harbor, the internment of Japanese Canadians was a decision made by Prime minister Mackenzie King who Thought it as best for the country because of the fear of Japanese spies that might endanger the war effort. Unfortunately this meant that upwards of 14, 000 Japanese innocents were imprisoned in the effort. the internment ended in 1949. -
U.N convention 1951
Also known as the Refugee convention, this act defined the term refugee and outlined the duties of countries to protect them. -
Refugees Become an Immigration Category
Refugees were thoroughly discussed in the Immigration act 1976. in this act it classified a refugee and and made accepting refugees a broader timeline . In others words Canada was only accepting refugees on a crisis to crisis basis. he act made Refugees accepted whenever it was appropriate. -
Immigration Act 1976
Enforced in 1978,the Immigration Act established who should be allowed into Canada and who should not. It also established more power to the provinces on who will be considered part of a prohibited class whether they be Disabled or labeled a future threat. However it mainly established the point system to which Canada still uses today to Identify who has what it takes to be a contributing immigrant in Canada. -
The Singh Decision
Satnam Singh came to Canada in 1985 seeking Refugee status. His case was denied under the Immigration act 1976 and he was not allowed to present his case in person of seek an appeal in court. The supreme court however found this to be a violation of some of the rights stated in the Constitution and many changes to the way Canada looks at Refugees arose from his case. -
Immigration and Refugee Protection Act
The immigration and Refugee protection act established classes to which immigrants were to be assigned and outlined specific details to what each class must follow individually. It also set specific guide lines for all immigrants to do when applying for immigration to Canada.
