Immigration Timeline

Singh Decision 1976-1985

Satnam Singh came to Canada in 1976 looking for refuge but Canada's government denied it. The Supreme Court later on stated how this went against the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. In result of this people have a right to an in person hearing if they are trying to claim refuge status in Canada. The Immigration Refugee Board was developed so they can supply quick and fair hearings. While people who seek refuge in Canada wait for their hearing they are given the basic necessities to live. This all was finished by the year 1985. This relates back to immigration in Canada because it shows how our system used to be unfair and how we worked to improve it.

Immigration Timeline

Immigration and Refugee Act 2002

The Immigration and Refugee Act was established in 2002. This act aimed to do four things. The first one is to "save lives and offer protection to people who are displaced amd persecuted." Secondly comes "Fulfill and affirm Canada's international commitments to protect refugees." The third aim is to "Grant fair considerationto people who claim to be persecuted, as an expression of Canada's humanitarian ideals." Lastly is to "Offer refugre to people facing persecution because of race, religion, political opinion or membership in a social group, and to people who face toture or cruel and unusual treatment or punishment." This event relates back to immigration because it's our immigration policy in Canada now. (all quotes come from our social textbook on page 177)

Creation of Immigration Catergories 1967

In 1967, immigration regulations were made, which introduced three different catergories of immigration. Firstly, were independent immigrants which had to apply through a points system to be able to immigrate. Secondly, were sponsored who were people who were directly related to a citizen already residing in Canada. Lastly, is nominated these were more distant relatives of a Canadian citizen who had to be nominated to be able to immigrate. This relates back to Immigration in Canada because it was the first time we've over heard of catergories for immigration.

A historical overview

Internment of Italian Canadians 1940

On June 16, 1940 arrests were made on Italian Canadians after Italty decalred war on Canada. For the most part the arrests were made on only Italian men. Their houses were taken and they were sent to the camps. 50 years later, Prime Minister Brian Mulroney apologized to Italian Canadians. This relates back to immigration in Canada because even though the Italians were allowed to immigrate to Canada they were then treated badly.

Refugees being added as a catergory of immmigrant 1978

Immigration Act 1976-1978

In April of 1978 the Immigration Act of 1976 introduced refugees as a catergory of immgrant. Now people who are fleeimg from their country to escapse war, persecution or a naturzl disaster would be able to become a Canadian citizen under their own catergory. This relates back to immigration in Canada because it was a huge step in the right direction for Canadian Immigration Legislation.

This act was the first act in Canada to actually outline the goals of the Canadian Immigration policy. This act recognized refugees as a class of immigrants. Along with two other classes, independent immigrants and family class. The act also made planning for the future of immigration a important responsibility. This relates back to immigration in Canada because this act was a significant shift in Canadian immigration.

Komagata Maru Incident 1914

In 1914 people from India sailed over to Vancouver to try and immigrate. Canada's policies only allowed Indians to immigrate only if they sail directly from India making no stops along the way. Even though, no shipping line did this. Technically, excluding Indians from being able to immigrate. Two months after the ship arrived the Canadian govenrment sent the ship back to India not allowing any Indias to immigrate in even after 19 Indians were killed and shot. This relates back to immigration in Canada because it shows how bias and messed up the system used to be and how much it has changed.

Internment of Japanese Canadians 1942

Internment of Ukranian Canadians 1914

In February 1942 Japanese Canadians were sent away to camps and taken away from their homes which were later sold by the government. In the camps Japanese Canadians weren't allowed to leave without RCMP permission. The only belongings they got to take were anythi g they could carry in their arms. This related back to immigration in Canada because even though they were allowed to immigrate into Canad they were later treated badly based off ethnic orgin.

In 1914 greater than 8000 Ukranian Canadians were taken and held in camps. There they were forced to do labour and didn't make any money. At the same time the government seized their homes and belongings, In 2005 the Ukranian Orgin Recognition Act which recognized these camps. This relates back to immigration in Canada because even though the Ukranians were let into Canada they were treated badly based on their orgin.

Chinese Head Tax 1885-1923

Between 1885 and 1923 chinese immigrants had to pay a head tax to enter Canada. The tax imposed under the chinese immigration act (1885). It was the first legislation in Canadian history to exclude immigration on the basis of ethnic background. Chinese people had to pay at least 50 dollars, the tax was later raised to 100 dollars and then to 500 dollars. During the 38th year the tax was in effect around 82,000 Chinses immigrants paid almost 28 million in tax. The head tax was removed with the passing of Chinese immigration in 1923 and it banned all Chinese immigrants until its repea; in 1942. In 2000 the federal government apologized for the head taand it's other racist immigration policies targeting Chinese people. This relates back to Canadian immigration because it shows how bias our immigration system used to be and how much it has developed and improved.