In a response to Cory on January 26th, 1917 regarding, Immigration Superintendent Scott claims that the justification for the barring of Afro-Caribbean labourers and domestics under Section 3 of the Immigration Act was that “people of African race were not suited to life in Canada”. Scott states that the climate and other conditions were not suitable for blacks. Thus the government was acting in “the interest of the colored people” by preventing them from settling in a place they could not prosper. These beliefs however were not seen as a sufficient justification by Caribbean political groups such as the West Indian League, many of whom accuse Scott of deliberately excluding Afro-Caribbean laborers despite their desire to work in Canada.
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As such, it was justified that Section 3(g) of the Immigration Act be used to bar them from entering Canada on the basis of being public charges. This was because of the 1914-15 recession, which Scott and his agents believed would have “slim prospects” for black employment to the point that they would be public charges once the money was spent. In truth however, this image had no real basis. Instead it was used to highlight the negative aspects of Canada’s economy in order to give an excuse to keep blacks out. That was because what was not stated by Scott’s claims was the need for Afro-Caribbean labor by Canadian companies such as DISCO in competing with rival companies in America. The reason for this need being DISCO’s requirement for a constant source of immigrant labor in maintaining a steady source of labor. These demands were subsequently supported by the governments of Barbados; this being due to the belief of emigration as a means of reducing surplus populations and thereby allowing for economic growth. Overall, despite the claims of the Department of Immigration, it could be seen that there was no “lack of demand for blacks” for the Canadian labor …show more content…
Instead, immigration branch files reveal that Scott and his agents deliberately misinterpreted the negative impact of black immigration to hide any positives. This deliberate misinterpretation of black employment in the 1914-15 economic recession could be seen L. Fortier’s report to Scott on August 12, 1914. Fortier’s report claimed that “thousands of men” have already been either been laid off at the Sydney Mines or had wages reduced by DISCO. The report further warns that there is a prospect of “four thousand men” being laid off at any instant for the Steel Works due to lack of demand for DISCO’s products on the market. Regarding these findings, Fortier tells Scott that there is, despite any facts stating otherwise, a need for the Department of Immigration to take an “unyielding” attitude in order
As such, it was justified that Section 3(g) of the Immigration Act be used to bar them from entering Canada on the basis of being public charges. This was because of the 1914-15 recession, which Scott and his agents believed would have “slim prospects” for black employment to the point that they would be public charges once the money was spent. In truth however, this image had no real basis. Instead it was used to highlight the negative aspects of Canada’s economy in order to give an excuse to keep blacks out. That was because what was not stated by Scott’s claims was the need for Afro-Caribbean labor by Canadian companies such as DISCO in competing with rival companies in America. The reason for this need being DISCO’s requirement for a constant source of immigrant labor in maintaining a steady source of labor. These demands were subsequently supported by the governments of Barbados; this being due to the belief of emigration as a means of reducing surplus populations and thereby allowing for economic growth. Overall, despite the claims of the Department of Immigration, it could be seen that there was no “lack of demand for blacks” for the Canadian labor …show more content…
Instead, immigration branch files reveal that Scott and his agents deliberately misinterpreted the negative impact of black immigration to hide any positives. This deliberate misinterpretation of black employment in the 1914-15 economic recession could be seen L. Fortier’s report to Scott on August 12, 1914. Fortier’s report claimed that “thousands of men” have already been either been laid off at the Sydney Mines or had wages reduced by DISCO. The report further warns that there is a prospect of “four thousand men” being laid off at any instant for the Steel Works due to lack of demand for DISCO’s products on the market. Regarding these findings, Fortier tells Scott that there is, despite any facts stating otherwise, a need for the Department of Immigration to take an “unyielding” attitude in order