JAPANESE CANADIANS

Japan Enters the War Many Canadians were near panic The fall of Hong Kong and Pearl Harbour seemed like the end of the world Some Canadians wanted revenge and struck out at the nearest target – Japanese Canadians

Canadian or Japanese? More than half of the 23,000“Japanese” living in Canada were born here Few supported Japan’s ambitions to take over the Pacific Many fought in World War I

Canadian or Japanese? Many Canadians ignored these facts They decided Japanese Canadians might be dangerous spies who would help Japan attack In 1942, the government ordered they be moved away from coastal regions of BC to isolated camps Families were often separated Some men were sent away to labour on farms

Canadian or Japanese? The government auctioned off personal possessions, homes and businesses Fishing boats were confiscated and sold There was not a single documented case of a Japanese Canadian who acted as a spy for Japan The government refused to compensate for losses

Partial Compensation for Japanese Canadians In September 1988, Prime Minister Brian Mulroney announced that the government would partially repay Japanese Canadian survivors for their losses The terms were: A public apology $21,000 for each survivor $24 million to est. a Canadian Race Relations Foundation $12 million to the Japanese-Canadian Association for low-cost housing for elderly Japanese Canadians