Post WII

The idea of racial assumption in Canada’s immigration has greatly changed in the course after World War 2. Before the early 1960’s Canada’s immigration policies showed a lot of discrimination towards specific immigrants. Though now, Canada is more tolerant towards cultural diversity. I will summarize the major changes in Canada’s Immigration Policies from 1947- 1976.

1947
Prime Minister Mackenzie King passed the first policy after WWII. This law meant that any immigrants coming into Canada would have abandon their cultural backgrounds, and become part of the English/French speaking country. Canada also had preferred ethnic groups in their mind which where those who looked “white”.  These included British, American, and northwestern European individuals. Chinese Canadians and East Indians were allowed to sponsor relatives (Only if  they were economically stable) but were still discouraged from entering Canada.

Link to Mackenzie King’s statement on Immigration  click here

The Citizenship Act also came into effect in 1947. It created Canadian citizenship as an entity independent of British subject status.

1950

Canada had a demand for workers. Without immigration, the continuation of Canada’s prosperity would be at risk.  Many workers from southern Europe, especially Italians, immigrated into Canada. Though, at first the Canadian government still had a fear of these “enemy aliens”. Italian labours dominated in the construction labour. The Italians were soon followed by the Greeks, Portuguese and the people of the Balkan peninsula. Asians were still not allowed to immigrate to Canada.

1952
 The Immigration Act of 1952 enabled the Governor in Council to prohibit, or admit, immigrants on the basis of nationality, including ethnic background and geographical area of origin; peculiar customs including habits, modes of life, or unusual means of holding property; climatic, educational, economic or industrial suitability; and the probable likelihood of becoming rapidly assimilated in Canadian society. Basically, this meant that the Governor in Council could reject any potential immigrant from coming to Canada because of their race and culture.

Link to the Immigration Act of 1952 click here

1962

Canada is brought in line with more of a liberal thinking. With wide-ranging human-rights initiatives, at provincial and federal levels, they approved of  the lifting of racial and ethnic criteria for immigration applicants , though with an eye to improving Canada’s profile. There was a lighter emphasis on being judged on the person’s ethnic background and so individuals would be judged on their individual skill and qualifications. Although some racial criteria still remained in place for Asians.

1967

The points system was established. Which is where points are accumulated depending on education, skills, age etc. It tried to ease the burden of getting into Canada.

1976
 The new Immigration Act was passed. This new law promised a new view of immigration. The law did not only serve Canadian needs but also the concerns of the immigrants. It eased the distresses of  refugees, the displaced, the persecuted and also supported family reunification. The immigration authorities even introduced a quota system which announced a yearly target for the number of immigrants of various categories whom we hoped to admit the following year. This new act has even opened up 2 new classes of controversial refugees and entrepreneurial immigrant classes.

Link to the Immigration Act of 1976 click here

Citation

. “An act respecting immigration.” Early Canadiana Online.  Web. 28 Apr 2012.                           aaaaaaaaa<http://www.canadiana.org/ECO/ItemRecord/9_08041&gt;.

. “Encouragement Of Immigration To Canada Statement Of Government Policy By Prime aaaaaaaaaMinister.” McMaster University Learning Centre Labour Studies Progamme. Labour aaaaaaaaaStudies Programme, n.d. Web. 28 Apr 2012. aaaaaaaaa<http://socserv.mcmaster.ca/maclabour/article.php?id=841&gt;.

. “Immigration Act, 1976-77, c. 52, s. 1 .” Refworld The Leader in Refugee Decision Support . aaaaaaaaaN.p., 28/04/2012. Web. 28 Apr 2012.