Immigration History

People from the Philippines represent about 8% of the population of Prince Edward Island. Many came initially with temporary contracts to work in seafood and fish processing plants, and have since become permanent residents. Here, you will meet four women from the Philippines who live in Western PEI who all have a connection to the fishing industries on the island. You will learn about their work and community lives in rural PEI.

In the nineteenth-century United Kingdom, the social ills associated with industrialization particularly afflicted children. A country-wide network of children’s homes developed in response, but was overwhelmed by demand. From the 1860s onwards, some of these homes organised the emigration of the children in their care, including to Canada. The children were failed by the governments of both countries, which did not sufficiently regulate the schemes. In Canada, the “Home Children” were often met with neglect and ill-treatment rather than the promised opportunities.

In 1952, the Canadian government adopted a new immigration act that explicitly excluded “homosexuals.” This ban emerged in the context of security concerns and increasing criminalization of queer sexualities, but was both driven and challenged from within the immigration branch itself. The outright ban stayed on the books until the 1970s, when a new immigration act was brought in that reflected the rapidly-shifting social and cultural environment, including the struggle for gay liberation.

World Refugee Year (1959-1960) raised global awareness of the desperate plight of refugees and the need to mobilize financial and material resources on their behalf by national governments, organizations, and ordinary citizens. With the support of the federal and provincial authorities, Canadians raised $3.4 million in financial and in-kind contributions on behalf of this international initiative. In addition, Canada admitted 3,508 refugees specifically as a result of WRY endeavours.

This oral history essay examines the experiences of Chilean exiles who left their country after the overthrow of the Popular Unity government of Salvador Allende. The first section examines trajectories from Chile to Canada, and includes memories of the 1970 election and 1973 coup d’état. In the second section, we hear from the same Chileans as they reflect upon adjusting and remembering, as well as the legacy and lessons of the coup in Chile.

The Chinese Immigration Act, 1923, was intended to prevent Chinese immigrants from entering Canada. It proceeded from an extensive history of discrimination against Asian immigrants. While it was in force, only a handful of Chinese immigrants were able to enter Canada. Even after this exclusionary legislation was repealed in 1947, significant barriers remained against Chinese immigrants seeking entry. Those obstacles were challenged and reduced over time, and now China is a major country of origin for new Canadians.

Over the last several decades, Canada has become increasingly dependent on foreign workers to meet its growing labour shortage. Canadian officials implemented programs to meet economic needs and support diplomatic interests, often using foreign labour that did not meet official notions of a ‘desirable’ immigrant. In some of the movements noted below, domestic workers/caregivers were admitted into Canada but excluded from a path to permanent residency, while others were able to acquire Canadian citizenship.

This article gives the history of the establishment of the Barr Colony, or what is now Lloydminster, Saskatchewan/Alberta, which began in 1903 as an all-British settlement. Founded by a group of nearly 2,000 British immigrants, the colony was led by Isaac M. Barr and later George E. Lloyd, both Anglican clergymen. The paper details the way in which Barr and Lloyd’s specific ideas about empire, gender, and religion shaped their colonial endeavours.

This article gives the history of the establishment of the Barr Colony, or what is now Lloydminster Saskatchewan/Alberta, which began in 1903 as an all-British settlement. Founded by a group of nearly 2,000 British immigrants, the colony was led by Isaac M. Barr and later George E. Lloyd, both Anglican clergymen. The article details the way in which Barr and Lloyd’s specific ideas about empire, gender, and religion shaped their colonial endeavours.