Discrimination and Immigration

Ethnocentric Canadians Most Canadians believed their race or group was superior Disliked outsiders Led to prejudice and discrimination

Immigration to British Columbia Most of the non-European Immigrants to arrive in BC were Chinese 1000s needed for the railroad Attracted by Fraser Gold Rush Facing discrimination in California Re-worked” the claims abandoned by the Europeans

Valued Members of BC The Chinese help develop the economy of the Province of BC by primarily building the railroad, and starting services such as stores, restaurants, laundries, and vegetable farms

The CPR was built by 1000s of workers entirely by hand “Every kilometer of tunnel and track was stained with blood along the British Columbia section of the line”

Staying in the Black at the Expense of Humanity The CPR hired over 17000 Chinese workers to complete the railway through the Fraser Canyon Discriminatory policies Paid just a $1 a day and white workers paid 1.50- 2.50$ Lived in separate camps from European workers, paid for their own food and lodging. Their work was dangerous and difficult (more than 600 lost their lives). Many were mislead about their expenses and pay and could never afford the trip back to China so they ended up staying in Vancouver and Victoria

Knights of Labour Trade union which wanted to protect the American/Canadian work force against competition from underpaid laborers imported by unscrupulous employers. Pressured the government to have all Chinese removed from Vancouver by economic boycott or physical force

Allies Became Targets Anyone who supported Chinese businesses or even sold products to Chinese customers were targets of anti-Chinese hostilities Businesses boycotted Verbally and physically harassed

Chinese Immigration Act 1885: Head Tax After the railway was finished, the Federal Government tried to limit immigration from Asia by introducing the Chinese Immigration Act Every Chinese immigrant had to pay a Head Tax of 50$ upon arrival- later raised to $500 On average only 40 Chinese per ship Families unable to come to Canada together 1872 to 1947

One of Many Stains It is a black mark on Canadian history because it legalized discrimination. No other ethnicities were given a head tax. The Canadian government eventually banned all Chinese immigration. Apology May 14, 2014 from Federal and Provincial governments

Canada’s Open Door Policy An immigration policy that puts no restrictions on who can immigrate 3 main groups to immigrate to Canada Britain US Europe Despite protest from some groups, Canada encouraged immigrants form Central and Eastern Europe

Closing the Door Labour unions wanted to stop the influx of low pay immigrant workers who could threaten job security Feared the non-British immigrants would threaten cultural identity French Canadians feared a further decline of French culture Racial prejudice was widespread

Asian Exclusion League Opponents of Asian immigration In 1907 Vancouver, they protested in favour of a bill to exclude Japanese immigrants form entering Canada Protest turned into a riot 1000s of protestors attacked and vandalized Chinese and Japanese neighbourhoods

Succumbing to Pressure Canada internationally embarrassed by the riot as Japan was an ally of Britain Prime Minister Bordon apologized to the Japanese government and formed a Royal commission to investigate the riot and compensate victims In the same year, the Canadian government set a limit of 400 male Japanese immigrants per year

Limiting Asian Immigration (Again) Continuous Passage Act A law in 1908 that allowed entry into Canada only to immigrants who had arrived by a single direct route Directly targeting immigrants from Asia as there is almost no possible way to make that journey by boat in a non stop direct passage

Komagata Maru Incident

Komagata Maru Incident May 23, 1914, a crowded ship from Hong Kong carrying 376 passengers, arrived in Vancouver challenging the Continuous Passage Act The Komagata Maru was denied docking by the authorities and only twenty returning residents, and the ship's doctor and his family were eventually granted admission to Canada. Following a two month stalemate, the ship was escorted out of the harbour by the Canadian military and forced to sail back to India where nineteen of the passengers were killed by gunfire upon disembarking and many others imprisoned.

Canada Apologizes (Again) The BC government formally apologized for the Komagata Maru Incident May 23rd 2008 A monument was unveiled on Vancouver's seawall in 2012, funded by the federal government.