Examples Of Injustice In Canada

Martin Luther King once said, “Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice everywhere,” Throughout history, countless injustices have been committed against humans, causing significant historical trauma. Differences in ideologies and beliefs between people are a major cause as to why injustices occur. Although Canada is known for its peace and diversity, it was not always like this. Canada’s history has left many victims with the culprit being the Canadian government. Such as when the Canadian Government forcefully assimilated native children and committed cultural genocide or when they removed all Japanese people from the Pacific coast and sent them to camps. However, injustices can also occur in other places across the world, such as Afghanistan …show more content…
Ever since the first Japanese man immigrated over to Canada, Japanese people were excluded from the white communities and suffered racism. Fear and racism towards Japanese people escalated quickly when, on December 7th, 1941, Japan- an axis power during World War II- attacked Pearl Harbour and Hong Kong where Canadian soldiers were stationed. This fear, which resided in many Canadians, led the Canadian government to forcibly relocate all Japanese people from the pacific coast to Internment camps and confiscate all their belongings. The Canadian government treated the Japanese people poorly during the internment camps. Japanese people were stripped of their rights and culture and Tom Tamagi, a victim of the internment camps, said, “[Japanese people] were confined inside the high wire fence of Hastings Park just like caged animals.” During World War II, the Japanese people endured the Injustice and not much was done to stop the actions of the government as those who did resist were sent to prisoner of war camps. However, after World War II ended, the Japanese people gathered together and protested for compensation for the events of the internment camps. When the Japanese people protested, PM Pierre Trudeau replied by saying “I do not see how I can apologize for some historic event to which we were not a party.” Although at first, the efforts of the Japanese people did not bring about change, finally, on September 22nd, 1988, PM Brian Mulroney apologized for the wrongs committed against the Japanese people. Along with his apology, Mulroney also compensated the Japanese people and abolished the War Measures Act which had legally justified the actions of the Canadian government during World War II. The differing actions of Mulroney and Trudeau teach people that when dealing with injustices, apology and redress is essential. Trudeau's response to the protests for