In the late 19th and early 20th century Immigration In the late 19th and early 20th century

Sources of Immigration The best sources for low tension immigration were the US, and Great Britain, and specific countries in Northern Europe. French Canadians feared any immigration would drown out “the Canadien.”

Most Canadians didn’t mind immigration, as long as the newcomers weren’t too different & could “Canadianize”. Immigrants expected to assimilate to “British Canadian” expectations. There was little to no tolerance for differences.

From 1901 to 1911, Canada’s population rose sharply from 5 From 1901 to 1911, Canada’s population rose sharply from 5.1 million to 7.2 million. 83% were immigrants

The Canadian government was looking for immigrants willing to roll up their sleeves and work hard.

Immigration Problems In BC, Asians were a source of serious conflict and crisis. Many BC workers feared Asians were taking their jobs. In Vancouver, Asiatic Exclusion League created. This was a group dedicated to the exclusion of Asians from society.

But limiting immigration from Asia was tricky India- a British Colony, Indians were British subjects! Japan- Britain’s strongest ally in the Pacific China- Big Business (railways) sponsored the Chinese workers. Railways contributed to political campaigns.

Vancouver Race Riot 1907 Asian immigration had risen sharply in recent months (esp. Japanese) Sept. 7 1907- Tensions erupted at a meeting of the Asiatic Exclusion League. 2,000 people attended a meeting in downtown Vancouver, over 10,000 congregated outside.

The mob rioted & attacked Chinatown and Little Tokyo. The rioters smashed and looted shops. Japanese were warned, armed themselves & barely held off the rioters. Parts of Chinatown were destroyed.

PM Laurier had to respond to BC PM Laurier had to respond to BC. The Federal Govt’ had to ease tension & maintain diplomatic connections. Japan- Laurier apologized to Emperor (Japanese Gov’t submitted letter of protest) & made deal to limit Japanese emigration. Also, immigrants had to arrive on tickets purchased in their own country. (many left via Hawaii).

China- Head taxes already in place, immigration already very low despite public perception. India- Awkward to prohibit entry, because they were British citizens., so a rule for all nations would have to be adopted. More on that later.

Push Pull Factors Push Pull Factors always effect immigration. Many motivations brought immigrants to Canada: greater economic opportunity and improved quality of life, an escape from oppression and persecution, and opportunities and adventures presented to desirable immigrant groups by Canadian immigration agencies.

Immigration Heirarchy As the insatiable world demand for Canadian resources grew, business and railway interests pressed the government to increase immigration. The Canadian government was to balance their ethnic anxieties against a frantic search for settlers and workers.

They listed ideal settlers in a descending preference They listed ideal settlers in a descending preference. British and American agriculturalists were followed by Northern Europeans. (French, Belgians, Scandinavians., Dutch, Germans, etc). The Canadian government actively advertised for immigrants in these countries.

Next were the Austro Hungarians, Germans, Ukrainians, and Poles. Then came those who were, in both the public and the government's minds, less inclined to assimilate and therefore were less desirable.(Italians, South Slavs, Greeks, and Syrians.) At the very bottom came Jews, Asians, Roma and Black persons.

Chinese Immigration By the 1880s, many Chinese had been allowed entry into Canada to help build the railroad. As soon as it was finished, it was expected that they return home. The Chinese are the only ethnic group in Canada ever to be explicitly subjected to a race-based head tax. The Chinese in Canada at this time were unwelcome in white communities, so Chinatowns developed.

In 1885 the Canadian government passed a law requiring Chinese immigrants to pay a “head tax” of $50 upon entry into Canada. By 1901 it was raised to $100. In 1903 it was increased again, this time to $500.

In December 2000, three Chinese-Canadians (backed by the CCNC) launched a class-action suit against the government. The lawsuit was unsuccessful, primarily on the grounds that the Charter of Rights and Freedoms —introduced in 1982 — can't be applied retroactively.

Head Tax Redress In April 2004, a United Nations report recommended that Canada strongly consider paying reparations for the Chinese head tax. The government reviewed the recommendations, but stood by a 1994 decision to refuse compensation.

On June 22, 2006, Prime Minister Stephen Harper offered an apology and compensation only for the head tax once paid by Chinese immigrants. Survivors and their spouses were paid approximately $20,000 in compensation. At the time there were an estimated 20 individuals still alive who had paid the tax.

Continuous Passage Act 1908 Also known as the Continuous Journey Regulation. A law which required all immigrants to come to Canada by a non stop route. It effectively made immigration from countries such as India impossible Was an effort by the Canadian government to restrict the influx of Asian workers into Canada.

Komagata Maru 1914- 400 British Sikhs chartered a ship, the Komagata Maru, to sail from Calcutta to Vancouver, and tested “Continuous Passage” laws. Upon arrival, racial tensions spiked in Vancouver. They weren’t allowed to disembark. They were left anchored in the harbour for over a month. Finally, Ottawa turned them back, despite having followed rules. Canada remained a “White Man’s Country”

Prime Minister Trudeau apologizes in House of Commons for the Komagata Maru incident