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Chinese Head Tax
The reason for all the Chinese people to immigrate to Canada was for the 1858 gold rush, in which more than 15,000 Chinese immigrants arrived for looking for work.The Chinese Head Tax was levied on Chinese immigration to Canada between 1885 and 1923, under the Chinese Immigration Act. With few exceptions, Chinese people had to pay $50 which was later raised to $100 and then $500, to enter Canada. This was the first time in Canadian history that excluded immigration based on ethnic origin. -
Komagata Maru Incident
Komagatu Maru was an Indian ship that carried economic immigrants from Hong Kong to Vancouver. The incident occurred when the ship was denied entrance from the Canadian government. From the 376 passengers, only the 20 returning residents and the ships doctor and family were allowed in. The remaining were forced to sail back to Budge-Budge, India where gunfire killed 19 of the passengers. -
Internment of Ukrainian Canadians
When Ukraine became split between an ally country and an enemy there were 8,579 Ukrainian Canadians put in internment camps. However, about 80,000 were left alone but classified as "Enemy Aliens" and required to regularly report to police. Most of the interned Ukrainians were recent immigrants but some were Canadian born and still put into camps. In 1920 the Ukrainians were released under the war measures act. -
Internment of Italian Canadians
When war between Canada and Italy broke out, all Italian Canadians were viewed as terrorists and were arrested to be thrown into concentration camps where they were physically abused. About 700 people were in these camps and many of them tried to escape and flee the country, during this time many of the Italians were shot and killed. -
Internment of Japanese Canadians
Starting after the Pearl Harbor bombings, Japanese Canadians were removed from their homes and placed in internment camps for 8 years. The Canadian government then shut down all Japanese newspapers, and took possession of belongings and businesses. Stolen belongings were then sold to fund the internment such as houses, cars, boats, and personal items. In August of 1944 the Japanese were moved East of the Rockies into Prisoner of War, and in 1949 the Japanese were able to move freely and vote. -
Creation of Immigration Categories
In the Immigration Act of 1976 the Immigration categories were proposed, however it wasn't until 1978 that they were put into place. The categories created were; independent, family-class. The independent class uses the points system to judge them, and family class includes the immediate families to any existing citizen or permanent resident. -
Immigration Act
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Refugees being added as an Immigration Category
In 1976, under the Immigration Act, refugees were given a special category. This helped them with the immigration and made the process easier and more accompanying. This meant that Canada became a very popular destination for people seeking refuge. -
Singh Decision
Satnam Signh was an Indian who came to Canada seeking refugee but he was rejected under the 1976 immigration act. The Act did not allow Satnam to appeal to the government which the Supreme Court said violates his rights in the Charter. Section 7 states that everyone in Canada has the right to life, liberty, and security under their fundamental rights. As a result of this incident all immigrants are allowed a hearing if they apply in person. -
Immigration and Refugee Protection Act
The IRPA was passed in 2001 as an act to replace the Immigration Act of 1976, however it wasn't put in full force until June 28, 2002. This act set a high-level framework of goals and guidelines for the immigration of foreign citizens. It wasn't until 2008 that this act received its first amendment.
