Peopling of Canada

– Immigration to Canada Population grew Population grew Frontiers of settlement extended Frontiers of settlement extended Ethnic composition of the population became diversified Ethnic composition of the population became diversified

Agriculture Eastern agricultural land filled to capacity Eastern agricultural land filled to capacity Gov’t wanted to take advantage of land potential for agriculture in the West Gov’t wanted to take advantage of land potential for agriculture in the West Dominions Land Act – Settlers could acquire 160 acres of free land, provided they stayed for three years Dominions Land Act – Settlers could acquire 160 acres of free land, provided they stayed for three years NWMP – Were sent west to secure the territory for settlers NWMP – Were sent west to secure the territory for settlers

First Arrivals Ontario born farmers Ontario born farmers British immigrants British immigrants Europeans fleeing religious or economic persecution Europeans fleeing religious or economic persecution Russian Mennonites Russian Mennonites Icelanders Icelanders Ukrainians Ukrainians

Winnipeg Gateway to the West – major stop along the CPR Gateway to the West – major stop along the CPR Land speculation – large increase in population Land speculation – large increase in population Processor of Agricultural products from surrounding country Processor of Agricultural products from surrounding country

Population Older First Nation Metis Older First Nation Metis Protestant English-Speaking settlers from Ontario and British Isles Protestant English-Speaking settlers from Ontario and British Isles Austria-Hungarians Austria-Hungarians Ukrainians Ukrainians

Politics Protect Canada from US annexation Protect Canada from US annexation Import large numbers of Eastern Canadian and British Settlers Import large numbers of Eastern Canadian and British Settlers Continued supporting the Canada Pacific Railway to connect British Columbia to Canada (and all in between) Continued supporting the Canada Pacific Railway to connect British Columbia to Canada (and all in between)

Urban Life location of private residences depended not only upon possession of capital, but often on ethnic background and length of residence in Canada location of private residences depended not only upon possession of capital, but often on ethnic background and length of residence in Canada 'foreign' immigrants inadequate and cramped high-rent housing of the poor districts 'foreign' immigrants inadequate and cramped high-rent housing of the poor districts Canadian and British born citizens tended to inhabit the wealthier areas of town Canadian and British born citizens tended to inhabit the wealthier areas of town

Rural Life social reformers believed that rural living, in stark contrast to urban, would lead to a healthy, moral, and charitable way of life social reformers believed that rural living, in stark contrast to urban, would lead to a healthy, moral, and charitable way of life Social reformers praised the ability of fresh air, hard work, and open spaces for 'Canadianizing' immigrants Social reformers praised the ability of fresh air, hard work, and open spaces for 'Canadianizing' immigrants

Settlement Era dispossession of Native land rights through the signing of the seven numbered treaties in the 1870s dispossession of Native land rights through the signing of the seven numbered treaties in the 1870s A worldwide economic boom in the late 1890s caused wheat prices to rise on international markets and made farming more profitable A worldwide economic boom in the late 1890s caused wheat prices to rise on international markets and made farming more profitable One of the most important factors was the completion of the transcontinental railway in 1885 One of the most important factors was the completion of the transcontinental railway in 1885

Clifford Sifton Minister of the Interior (under Laurier) Minister of the Interior (under Laurier) Focus to populate the Northwest with farmers Focus to populate the Northwest with farmers “advertising Canada” - use words like 'invigorating' and 'bracing' instead of 'freezing' and 'desolate' to describe western Canada “advertising Canada” - use words like 'invigorating' and 'bracing' instead of 'freezing' and 'desolate' to describe western Canada Banned publication of Manitoba temperatures abroad – no references to snow Banned publication of Manitoba temperatures abroad – no references to snow

Emigration Office – London, England

Advertising Offered free/cheap land Offered free/cheap land Establishing emigration agencies overseas Establishing emigration agencies overseas Assisted passage schemes, bonuses and commissions to agents and settlers Assisted passage schemes, bonuses and commissions to agents and settlers Letters to home – often glorified conditions to impress family – embellished tales of good fortune and happiness Letters to home – often glorified conditions to impress family – embellished tales of good fortune and happiness

Preferential Settlers British – Two million from British – Two million from Sifton - "stalwart peasant in a sheepskin coat, born on the soil, whose forefathers have been farmers for ten generations, with a stout wife and a half dozen children" was the right kind of settler for the Canadian West. Sifton - "stalwart peasant in a sheepskin coat, born on the soil, whose forefathers have been farmers for ten generations, with a stout wife and a half dozen children" was the right kind of settler for the Canadian West. French Canadians thought this was a strategy to Anglicize Canada French Canadians thought this was a strategy to Anglicize Canada

Undesirables Calculating immigrants' 'foreignness' took into consideration the hue of the foreigner's skin; the darker the skin, the more 'foreign' the immigrant was supposed to be Calculating immigrants' 'foreignness' took into consideration the hue of the foreigner's skin; the darker the skin, the more 'foreign' the immigrant was supposed to be A type of racial hierarchy based on these 'standards' emerged A type of racial hierarchy based on these 'standards' emerged Most desired – British, American, Western Europe Most desired – British, American, Western Europe Least desired – Central/Eastern Europe, Asiatics and Africans Least desired – Central/Eastern Europe, Asiatics and Africans

Prejudices and Immigration Climate used as an excuse – “undesirables” wouldn’t be able to adapt to climate Climate used as an excuse – “undesirables” wouldn’t be able to adapt to climate – only 1500 Africans emigrated – only 1500 Africans emigrated 1903 – a $500 head tax placed on Chinese Immigrants 1903 – a $500 head tax placed on Chinese Immigrants 1908 – “continuous journey clause” – made it impossible for immigrants from India to enter Canada 1908 – “continuous journey clause” – made it impossible for immigrants from India to enter Canada

1914 – South Asians denied entry