Immigration In Early Twentieth Century Canada

Published Date: 02 Nov 2017

Topic: Discuss the negative and positive responses to immigration in early twentieth century Canada. Outline the reasons for these reactions and describe how they were manifested.

In the early twentieth century, a large number of settlers have moved to Canada, and the Canadian population has grown exponentially (400, 000 immigrants in 1913). [1] A rapid increase of immigrants occurred during this period because the Federal government began to promote immigration advertisements and started shipping those who wished to come. Furthermore, they appointed officers in foreign nations to seek out new immigrants. [2] The reason why a large amount of Europeans have decided to move is because they were either unsatisfied with their social status within their home or because of the military problem that existed (it was imminent that a great war was coming). Among these new immigrants, there were types of people the government did not want to accept, and decided to limit certain types of settlers from entering. Therefore, in the year 1869, Canada had developed a new act called Immigration Act, and they modified this policy several times throughout the twentieth century. [3] This new policy was created to encourage certain types of settlers to enter the country, while discouraging those who were unwanted in the Canadian society. [4] This paper will identity those who were unwanted or forbidden to enter, and what the Canadian government did to prevent them from entering, or control the population that were already residing in Canada. Furthermore, it will discuss what the Canadian government did in order to encourage settlers who were "wanted" to come.

According to research, Canada divided immigrants into two different categories, which were those who were wanted by society and those who were unwanted. Those who were discouraged to enter included: criminals, those who may cause security threats and those with contagious fatal diseases. [5] This is understandable, as those with criminal records could potentially harm the citizens and the Canadian society, causing problems within Canada. Furthermore, those with contagious diseases may potentially cause epidemic issues. The government was rather harsh to judge those who were about to enter Canada. The government would ask a list of questions asking regarding how much money one has, or family’s social status within Canada, or asks regarding religion. [6] Then doctors and nurses would examine their bodies, looking for signs and diseases. This process would take up to three to four hours, and then they would be free to leave. [7] If they have failed to receive stamps that indicate that they have been approved, (many did not because they were considered to be "criminals, strikebreakers, or carriers of disease") they would be deported back to their original nation. [8] The government had also attempted to limit certain ethnic and religious groups in the early twentieth century. [9] Immigrations laws were strengthened in 1906 and 1910, in order to deport unwanted immigrants, such as those who suffered from severe illness or committed crimes. Around this period, Canada was also undergoing a mild economic recession, and desired to fix it one way or another. [10] Therefore, a new measure was introduced that would only allow immigrants who possessed at least $25 upon landing to prove that they were not completely deprived. [11] On the other hand, those who were encouraged to come were settlers with useful skills, especially those who had competent skills in farming. Canadian government needed more workers who could support the nation by providing more goods and provisions. Those who are considered to be wanted or unwanted changed over time, as technology changed over time, due to industrial revolution. [12] Anyhow, in order to bring them over to Canada, the government had established different forms of propaganda, including brochures, posters, and newspapers in various languages that portrayed Canada as being already populated, prosperous nation. [13] The government had also provided free passage to enter the nation, free acres of farmland, and free supplies. Many immigrants were attracted to Canada’s free liberties, and saw immigration as a chance to start a new life. [14] 

Secondly there was discrimination against citizens from enemy nations during World War I. At the start of the war, the vast amount of European foreign immigration to Canada has officially ended because, these foreigners were no longer allowed to leave as they were needed in their home nation to fight in the war, and the amount of shipping across the Atlantic had slowed down. [15] It became too expensive and dangerous for settlers to travel through the ocean in the middle of the world war. [16] Because Canada and Britain were at war against "Germany, Austria, Hungary and the Ukraine," immigration from these nations was suspended. [17] Those who were already residing in Canada were "branded as "enemy aliens" under the War Measurement Act of 1914." [18] The citizens from alien nations were also discriminated by the public and the government. Nevertheless, compared to groups from Asian continent, their problem was not as severe. Nevertheless, they have been treated harshly from the Canadian government to ensure that they do not cause trouble to the society. These "enemy aliens were registered with the government and carried ID cards with them. [19] They were forbidden to posses firearms, publish or read readings in a language that is not English nor French, "leave the country without exit permits", and join "unlawful" movements (i.e. socialist, communist). [20] Furthermore, the worst problem was that thousands of these citizens were placed in international camps against their will or they were even deported from Canada back to their origins. It was only after 1917, when they were allowed to leave these camps, as work force became depleted. [21] Nevertheless, this has solved the labor shortage problem in Canada, despite the fact that war veteran groups were unsatisfied with this decision. They were afraid that they would keep these jobs once soldiers return back to Canada.

Finally, there was discrimination against the Japanese during the early twentieth century. This paper suggests that this group was persecuted and discriminated by both the government and the society the most. In the beginning of 1907, Canada made an agreement with the United States called "gentleman’s agreement". It started to limit the number of the Japanese emigrating from the United States to Canada. [22] According to this agreement, no more than 450 people of Japanese-American citizens could enter Canada each year. However, the actual number of Japanese immigrants allowed into Canada was much lower than this number. [23] Nevertheless, by year 1914, about 10,000 people of Japanese ancestry had settled as permanent residents in Canada. [24] In fact, according to the 2006 census, it is estimated that there were about "98,900 Canadians of Japanese ancestry, which was about 0.3% of the entire Canadian population." [25] More than 90% of the people of Japanese descent have decided to settle in three provinces. 42% of them have decided to settle in British Columba, 35% of them decided to stay in Ontario, and 14% have decided to reside in Alberta. [26] There was a first wave of Japanese immigrant movement from 1877 and 1928. Until 1907, most of the immigrants were consisted of young men. [27] Because Canada's decided to limit the number of Japanese to 450 per year in 1907, there was not much female Japanese population until later. Therefore, most Japanese immigrants who decided to come to Canada were women who decided to join their husbands or those who were unmarried who were betrothed to men in Canada. [28] To make matters for the Japanese, in year, 1928, Canada decided to further their restricted on the Japanese to 150 persons per year. In 1940, during World War II, Japanese immigration was completely stopped, and it migration did not resume until the mid-1960s. [29] 

When Japanese-Canadians first arrived in North America, they were not accepted by the American public due to their differences in culture, language, and appearance. Some considered these people as models of middle-class North American ideals. The Japanese worked hard, followed the laws, and were devoted to their families, and community. [30] Yet, there were some Canadians who refused to accept them and kept a distance from them. Japan was an isolated nation for a long period of time, thus, the Japanese had values and culture that was different from the Europe, and entirely different language. Unlike other immigrant groups who moved from Europe, such as the French, Irish, German, and etc, the Asian groups were completely different in terms of both culture, and language. Because of these differences, it was very difficult for the Japanese to communicate effectively with groups outside their own and was unaccepted and isolated from the main community. Furthermore, they were disliked because of their differences in terms of appearance. The anti-Japanese groups suggested that the Japanese were filthy and degraded people whose presence contaminated the Whites around them. [31] In order to interact with others, the newly arrived Japanese formed groups and preferred to communicate amongst one another. Anti-Japanese North Americans were not pleased by this. In the September of 1907, in Vancouver, there was a serious riot against Asian businesses by the members of the racist Asiastic Exclusion League. [32] In this year Canada was undergoing a slight economic recession and fair amount of "whites" were out of job on the west coast. Therefore, there was a great deal of anger and hostility towards Asians, as they felt the Asians were taking their job opportunities. [33] In the British Columbians’ point of view, during this period, they viewed these Japanese immigration as nothing but an invasion. [34] The British Columbians considered their province to be a land where its occupants are Causations and they determined to keep away non-White groups. [35] Therefore, in the year 1906, the mayor of Vancouver decided to write a letter to Ottawa and demanded that they stop all Asian immigrants. [36] In order to avoid internal conflicts, he had ordered all Asian newcomers to the interior of the province to ensure that they are not seen by the townspeople. [37] In order to survive and support themselves and their family, the Japanese had no other choice but to open small businesses such as hotels, food markets or become small vegetable farmers. [38] In fact, about 75% of the total Japanese residents were involved in these businesses before the beginning of World War I. These Japanese business owners became successful, due to the fact that they spent an incredible number of hours working, and saved as much as they earned. [39] However, in the province of Vancouver, there was a riot on a massive scale, as a mob consisted of 9000 people have riled up and destroyed the properties of oriental businesses in downtown Vancouver. They smashed windows, destroying signs, and caused havoc for the Orientals. [40] Later this year, a federal government decided to provide compensation to the Oriental community. The Prime Minister "Sir William Lyon Mackenzie King agreed to award $26,000 to Chinese businesses and $9,000 to the Japanese community." [41] 

In conclusion, according to this paper, the government had created various policies to stop unwanted criminals from entering Canada. There were many groups who were discriminated by the Canadian society in the early nineteenth century. Those who seemed too dangerous due to their criminal nature, diseases, and religion were forbidden to enter Canada. Furthermore, Asian groups were alienated from the society due to their differences in culture, language, and appearance. They had more trouble with adapting to the nation, as Japan was a country that was completely different from other European settlers. Lastly, when the war broke out, there were certain types of causations who faced discrimination from the government. In order to avoid internal struggle, people from "enemy nations" were quarantined. They were forced to stay in camps and forced to do laboring work. Furthermore, they were forced to wear identity cards to indicate that they were "dangerous" citizens. Nevertheless, it does not indicate, that Canada had only created policy to prevent people from entering. Initially, Canada was a new country and needed to increase its population. The government was successful at attracting people from different nations. It was only after when they started to see unwanted immigrants, when they started to create laws to control these populations.

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