Chinese Immigration to Canada

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In Japan, there are not as many immigrants and almost all people are originally from Japan. However, in the case of Canada∞, there are few people who is originally from Canada. Canada is known as an immigrant country. In Canada there are a lot of immigrants, especially in Vancouver, where immigrants occupy 45.9% of whole population. Their parents or grandparents came from different places.

In Vancouver, there are more than 247,000 immigrants and Chinese immigrants are the largest ethnic group. This immigrant community can be divided into three groups depending on where they came from: China∞, Hong Kong∞, and Taiwan∞. There isn't much research that indicates how they have survived since coming to Canada.

Chinese immigrant history started in 1788.

The time most immigrants came to Vancouver is early and mid 1990s, because of the returning of Hong Kong. That is why there are so many Chinese immigrants from Hong Kong in Vancouver now.


The Canadian government currently promotes immigration∞. Throughout the history of immigration, the Canadian government has discriminated against some races. For example, Japanese and Jewish were discriminated during WWII. Chinese immigrants also were discriminated. Most significant discrimination is Head Tax. Head Tax is special tax for Chinese immigrants to Canada. Only Canada and New Zealand imposed head taxes on Chinese. Because of gold rush in B.C, Canada needed cheap labour. That is why many Chinese immigrants come to Canada at that time.Between 1881 and 1884, more than 15,000 Chinese came to Canada However, as soon as Pacific Pacific Railway was completed, the Canadian government moved to restrict the immigration of Chinese to Canada as Chinese labor was no longer needed. In 1885, federal anti- Chinese bill was and imposed $50 Head Tax. head Tax did not help to discourage to immigration to Canada.Many Chinese still came to Canada. Head tax was increased to $500 in 1903. Of course it was quite expensive for Chinese. Since 1984, Chinese Canadian National Council has been claiming for redress for surviving Head Tax payer and their families. They are seeking for apology and financial redress. New Zealand government has already apologized. Yet, Canadian government has not apologized and redressed yet.

Now, because of previous election, Prime Minister changed. New Prime Minister Designate Stephen Harper is the first leader to response to CCNC's appeal.He stated “The Chinese Canadian community deserves an apology for the Head Tax and appropriate acknowledgement and redress of that wrong.” This is the wonderful beginning.The survivors of Head Tax payer is dwindling as they enter 90s and 100s. It means government should redress quickly.

It is very big issue that has not solved yet.

Methodology
The purpose of this reserach is to understand the Canadian discrimination and Canadian goverment attitude about it especially Chinese Head Tax. Knowing dark side of history of Canada encourages people think about how Canada should deal with discrimination. This research is Case study∞ that focuses on one issue. The research is based on website sources. The imformation is collected from various website.
For More Information
The Chinese Head Tax∞
This article provides you more detail imformation about Chinese Head Tax.
History of Chinese Immigration to Canada∞
This article writes about Chinese immigration history in Canada.
Chinese Immigration Act of 1885∞
This article explains what is Chinese immigration Act of 1885.
New Zealand Poll Tax∞
This article is about New Zealand Polltax.

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