Immigration Discrimination In Canada

Improved Essays
In order to be approved to immigrate into Canada, individuals must complete a lengthy application which follows a set of rules, regulations, and policies (http://www.canadaimmigrationvisa.com/process.html). Immigration has played a crucial role in the growth and development of Canada’s history. Immigrants have opened new doors and opportunities for those in Canada and because of immigration, we are considered one of the most multicultural and diverse populations around the world. Unfortunately, from the beginning of Canada to today, these immigrants have not always been treated with the utmost respect that they deserve.

Canada is one of the most diverse nations, with more than 200 ethnic origins, nealy 1 in 5 Canadians belongs to a visible
…show more content…
A few notable examples of discrimination towards immigrants, and those trying to immigrate are to be mentioned starting with the The Chinese Immigration in 1885 (http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/rachel-decoste/canada-immigration_b_4747612.html). This act was a way of deterring the entry and immigration of chinese people by charging a hefty tax. This tax was not charged to any other ethnic group (http://www.huffingtonpost.ca/rachel-decoste/canada-immigration_b_4747612.html). Following the chinese immigration act, the “anti-black” era was followed in 1898, where many black Canadian immigrants were discriminated against and treated as inferior, which made them unable to assimilate into Canadian society, black Canadians were treated primarily as a source of cheap labour. Later in 1939, 900 jewish refugees fleeing Nazi Germany made their way to the Americas. The director of immigration in Canada at the time fought to keep these refugees out of Canada, as they may be a threat to society and create unwanted …show more content…
Canada opened its doors to people based on their merits, rather than racial categorization in order to welcome the best and brightest people from around the world. Following the Immigration Act, The Canadian Multiculturalism Act was developed in 1988 which was created in order to lessen discrimination within our nation. Some of the values in the act were to promote the understanding that multiculturalism reflects the cultural and racial diversity of Canadian society to preserve, enhance and share their cultural heritage; recognize and promote the understanding of multiculturalism; recognize the existence of communities whose members share a common origin; ensure all individuals receive equal treatment and protection under the law, while respecting and valuing their diversity to name a few (http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/C-18.7/page-1.html#h-3). In order for the Multiculturalism Policy of Canada to be assured, the Crown, and other ministers must encourage and promote a coordinated approach to the implementation, this may include the aid in development of implementation of programs and practices in support of the policy.

Related Documents

  • Improved Essays

    Over the course of its history, Canada is often considered a safe haven for a large amount of people from places such as the Middle East, Asia, Europe, and possibly the United States after this November’s election. In the article An Unknown Country by Roy Macgregor, the idea that Canada is formed from countless different cultures, and a leader in acceptance and tolerance is a central notion brought forth, despite discussing some blemishes in it’s past in welcoming others. In essence, the main idea that he depicts in the article is that Canada is lacking a distinct Canadian identity, but what makes us Canadian is that we are made up of a wide variety cultures that came from other countries, and we pride ourselves in that concept. While some could argue that Canada has several inspirations that are especially Canadian, such as hockey and maple syrup, this alone is not enough to establish an identity that it can call it’s own. So, as a result, Macgregor argues…

    • 539 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Africville Research Paper

    • 1829 Words
    • 8 Pages

    It can be put on practically anything' Thomas Sowell. Racism wasn’t just direct towards black people in Canada it was also attached to Americans, Aboriginals, Asians, Jews, Italians, Greeks, Gypsies, South Slovakians,and Syrians. There was an especially racist authoritarian his name was Clifford Sifton. At a time he was the minister of immigration where he ranked immigration by their race, perceived hardiness and farming ability. If you didn’t fit those categories you would not be wanted in Canada.…

    • 1829 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Some of these groups were sent back like the“During that time European Jews fleeing Nazi Germany were denied a sanctuary in Canada (see Refugees). The number of Canada's deportations, however, rose from fewer than 2,000 in 1929 to more than 7,600 just three years later. Almost 30,000 immigrants were forcibly returned to their countries of origin over the course of the decade, primarily because of illness or unemployment. ”(Struthers, James) This resulted into unfair biases of immigrant that were once welcomed with open arms and are now kicked out for not being the dominate race, british people.…

    • 476 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Canadians alleged the “Yukon gold rush (1897-1899); Completion of the first continental railway (CPR 1885) and building of other lines; Closing of the American frontier; New developments in dry land farming; Canadian government’s first concentrated policy to promote immigration.” These factors did definitely bring more people to immigrate to Canada. This policy was a way to close the threat of the American frontier and open up doors to a new and approved Canada. Though, the racist immigration policy encourages racism by the fact that they only had in mind of what particular people they wanted them to come for the sake of wages in money.…

    • 1141 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Improved Essays

    John Diefenbaker Diversity

    • 1164 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Wilfrid Laurier realized that he must expand to the west or else an invasion will happen thus, starting the first idea of “immigration” in Canada. He sent a man in the name of Sir Clifford Sifton to organize immigration offices all over Europe. The British, Poles, Germans, Ukrainians, Finns, Norwegians started migrating. This resulted us with a new, occupied land, which is now known as “Alberta”. After the idea of “immigration” progressed, this resulted with a vast increase in Canada’s population.…

    • 1164 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Biases are based on preconceived ideas and notions towards a specific group of people. These bias are in fact prejudice in nature and exemplifies the idea of supremacy. Sometimes these bias become an integral part of our society. This is evident when a leader of a first world nation could make a travel ban, banning immigration from a specific nation because of religion or ethnic background. As a society we retain these bias because of historical circumstances or ignorance.…

    • 1756 Words
    • 8 Pages
    Superior Essays
  • Decent Essays

    The oriental exclusion was a major consequence in this period of Canadian history. The effects of this racial discrimination consist of: in Vancouver (1907) there was a major anti-Asian riot which was started by an anti-immigration rally. The consequences were profound. For example: physical assaults, property damage, and death. However, only three people who were against immigrants were convicted of their crime.…

    • 227 Words
    • 1 Pages
    Decent Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Lower on the list of desirability was immigrants originating from Eastern and Northern Europe (France, Russia, Belgians, Ukrainians, Germans, etc.) At the bottom of the list were those considered “less assimilable and less desirable” (the Jews, Asians, Roma people and Black people) (Troper). This racist ideology is especially blatant when considering the reasons behind the Chinese Head Tax and Exclusion Act that came into effect in 1885. The reasoning being that the majority (white Canadians) believed that Chinese immigrants would be a burden to Canadian Society (Chan). The overtly racist attitudes that Canadians held at this time, shameful as they are, are…

    • 1003 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    At first, Chinese immigrants were unwelcome. They were isolated physically, socially and culturally from Canadian society. 1They were treated differently and unfairly compared to other ethnic groups. For example, while white people were paid $2 a day, in comparison the Chinese were paid $1.35 a day and they were doing the same work.2 As time passed, Chinese have integrated into the society and their contribution was recognized by the government.…

    • 1410 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Great Essays

    Canadian National Identity

    • 1333 Words
    • 6 Pages

    38). This example demonstrates that the ideologies of individuals from differing ethnicities are heavily scrutinized and it becomes evident that mainly obedient individuals that conform to Canada’s peaceful and inclusionary identity are preferred as immigrants. Finally, immigrant applicants may be excluded on the basis of age as in the case of Ratnam Appudurai, who is seventy-eight years old (Black, 2013, par. 34). Through this, it can be interpreted that immigration policies carefully examine the productivity of prospective immigrants in Canadian society (Antecol et al., 2003, 194). Therefore, while Canada’s identity is perceived as humanitarian and multicultural, its immigration policies ultimately restrict access and favours a specific class of individuals of appropriate age, who have a specific mindset and can contribute to the economic prosperity of the…

    • 1333 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Improved Essays

    According to Razack (2007), the Canadian government attempted a form of racial profiling. In terms of the Chinese, it showed that the Canadian government created the assumption that the Chinese only wanted to enter Canada to obtain resources and to take control of society, which was not the…

    • 2081 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Improved Essays

    The Chinese workers represented a threat to unskilled white employees in the province of British Columbia. The more the Chinese were hired, the angrier the population from B.C. got. This resulted in several attempts of prohibiting them from immigrating to Canada. Also, the international community of the time had a lot of prejudice towards the Chinese, as well. Countries such as Australia and the USA had created ways of reducing the immigration of this group of Asians (Lee 51).…

    • 621 Words
    • 3 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Great Essays

    Immigration policies are comprised of the acts and regulations that affect which foreigners may enter the country and ultimately, be granted citizenship. Historically, Canadian immigration policies have favoured white immigrants. This preference is explicitly demonstrated through the classification of immigrants as ‘desirable’ and ‘undesirable’. Canadian immigration policies have been a major factor in shaping the development of the country, with policies being designed to fit the country’s economic needs of the time. Referencing the timeline of Ismaili’s four phases of immigration, this essay will support the critiques which state that Canada’s immigration policies, both past and present, have been discriminatory and racist in practice.…

    • 2063 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Great Essays
  • Improved Essays

    Nevertheless, before discussing how effective the multiculturalism act has been, it’s necessary to discuss parts of Canadian identity, and asses how multiculturalism shapes Canadian society. Canadian identity is ambiguous; often been describes described as an inclusive nation, rather than exclusive nation. Instead of promoting its own interest Canada has been known as a compromising, pace-making, compassionate nation filled with virtue. Canadian identity is closely associated with the promotion of diversity and multiculturalism. Unlike their American neighbors in the South, Canada is said to have embraced distinct cultures and language, without forcing in assimilation.…

    • 1271 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Improved Essays
  • Superior Essays

    Komagata Maru Essay

    • 1318 Words
    • 6 Pages

    This has changed throughout history as now Canada is a multicultural country and is welcoming to a variety of cultures as well as respect individuals regardless of who they are and where they are from. Canada has learnt to welcome any type of immigrant and we live in a society where one’s…

    • 1318 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Superior Essays