Immigration in Canada from 1946-on

Impact of Returning Soldiers & War Brides 1.War Brides – coming to different country, culture, living conditions 2.Some Soldiers /Veterans (people who served actively in army, navy, or air force) no training or work experience except military; no training or work experience except military; were unemployed during Depression so no job to return to were unemployed during Depression so no job to return to After WW2 – difficult transition for many

Government Assistance Canadian Government Legislation - Adaptations to help transition: 1.veterans who wanted old jobs back got them 2.veterans and war widows given hiring preference for government jobs 3.those wishing to attend trade school or university given free tuition and living allowances 4.Veterans’ Land Act passed – enabled veterans to obtain mortgages at preferential rates

Changing Immigration Policy 1. Displaced Persons – Impact on Canada Millions of refugees had no homes after the war – no homes, possessions, or hope for the future Millions of refugees had no homes after the war – no homes, possessions, or hope for the future UN called these refugees displaced persons (DPs) – people forced from their homelands due to the war or due to Soviet expansion after the war UN called these refugees displaced persons (DPs) – people forced from their homelands due to the war or due to Soviet expansion after the war included concentration camp survivors and others uprooted by war included concentration camp survivors and others uprooted by war 165,000 immigrated to Canada 165,000 immigrated to Canada

Displaced Persons – cont’ Challenges for Displaced Persons (DPs) Challenges for Displaced Persons (DPs) could not speak English could not speak English unable to practice their former trades and professions unable to practice their former trades and professions Positives Positives Children often absorbed English quickly at school Children often absorbed English quickly at school often any job opened up new opportunities often any job opened up new opportunities

Immigration Act of – PM Louis St. Laurent set up Department of Citizenship and Immigration 1948 – PM Louis St. Laurent set up Department of Citizenship and Immigration Immigration Act of 1952 – gave extensive powers to Minister of Immigration Immigration Act of 1952 – gave extensive powers to Minister of Immigration Decided that practice of barring immigrants from entering Canada based on ethnic origin would continue - gave this power to immigration agents Decided that practice of barring immigrants from entering Canada based on ethnic origin would continue - gave this power to immigration agents One way around this: sponsorship of relatives One way around this: sponsorship of relatives Until 1957 non-white, non- European immigrants composed only about 5 per cent of immigrants. Until 1957 non-white, non- European immigrants composed only about 5 per cent of immigrants.

Immigration - General By the mid-late 1950s – demand for immigrant labour was so high that Canada’s doors swung wide open to accept new immigrants (“Brawn over brains”) By the mid-late 1950s – demand for immigrant labour was so high that Canada’s doors swung wide open to accept new immigrants (“Brawn over brains”) Between million other immigrants moved to Canada Between million other immigrants moved to Canada often - exhausted by war, looking for a new life often - exhausted by war, looking for a new life most immigrants settled in cities of central Canada (as opposed to immigrants after WWI who settled on farms in Western Canada) most immigrants settled in cities of central Canada (as opposed to immigrants after WWI who settled on farms in Western Canada) cultures, viewpoints, hard work enriched Canada in many ways cultures, viewpoints, hard work enriched Canada in many ways older areas of cities – vacated as veterans & families moved to the suburbs older areas of cities – vacated as veterans & families moved to the suburbs

The Immigration Act removed the racial discrimination found in previous legislation removed the racial discrimination found in previous legislation introduced a ‘points’ system’ for rating applicants – a system still in use today. (“colour-blind”) introduced a ‘points’ system’ for rating applicants – a system still in use today. (“colour-blind”) gave preference to immigrants who, among other things: gave preference to immigrants who, among other things: knew English or French knew English or French were not too old/too young to take regular jobs were not too old/too young to take regular jobs had arranged employment in Canada had arranged employment in Canada had a relative or family member in Canada had a relative or family member in Canada had proper education and training had proper education and training were immigrating to a region of high employment were immigrating to a region of high employment

Citizenship Act of 1976 Trudeau implemented the Citizenship Act of 1976, which: Trudeau implemented the Citizenship Act of 1976, which: Eliminated gender discrimination Eliminated gender discrimination Granted citizenship to children of overseas marriages when mother Canadian (previously only if father Canadian) Granted citizenship to children of overseas marriages when mother Canadian (previously only if father Canadian) Required adequate knowledge of one of 2 official languages before could become a citizen Required adequate knowledge of one of 2 official languages before could become a citizen

Immigration Act of 1978 New Immigration Act which: Reduced barriers to immigration Reduced barriers to immigration Gave provinces a new role in immigration Gave provinces a new role in immigration Quebec now had the ability to ensure that new immigrants would be able to adapt to francophone culture Quebec now had the ability to ensure that new immigrants would be able to adapt to francophone culture 3 categories of immigrants created: 3 categories of immigrants created: Family (relatives sponsor) Family (relatives sponsor) Refugees Refugees independents independents

Multiculturalism With changes to immigration policy came changes to the composition of Canadian society With changes to immigration policy came changes to the composition of Canadian society 1971 – Trudeau adopted a policy of multiculturalism 1971 – Trudeau adopted a policy of multiculturalism Helped schools set up new courses Helped schools set up new courses Promited multicultural events Promited multicultural events Set up a council to study issues Set up a council to study issues Multiculturalism became law with the Multicultural Act of 1988 Multiculturalism became law with the Multicultural Act of 1988

Immigration in 1980s-90s By 1999 – more than half of all Canadian immigrants from Asia and Pacific Region By 1999 – more than half of all Canadian immigrants from Asia and Pacific Region Immigrant poverty – in 2001 – 35% of immigrants lived below the poverty line Immigrant poverty – in 2001 – 35% of immigrants lived below the poverty line Other difficulties: Other difficulties: Mulroney made an error by increasing the immigration rate in the middle of a recession (economic downturn) Mulroney made an error by increasing the immigration rate in the middle of a recession (economic downturn) Usually – immigration increased when business cycle at its peak and decreased during recessions Usually – immigration increased when business cycle at its peak and decreased during recessions Immigrants often forced into poor economic situations that lasted longer than recession Immigrants often forced into poor economic situations that lasted longer than recession Also – difficulty in having foreign credentials and education recognized in Canada – eg. Cab drivers with a PhD Also – difficulty in having foreign credentials and education recognized in Canada – eg. Cab drivers with a PhD