Fig. 1: Chinese immigration to Canada was completely banned from 1923-1947.
Introduction
Chapter 38.
"An Act respecting Chinese Immigation"
"His Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Commons of Canada, enacts as follows:"
"No person of Chinese origin or descent...shall be permitted to enter or land in Canada..."
This excerpt from the piece of legislation can be viewed in the documentary, In the Shadow of Gold Mountain.
Passed on July the 1st, 1923, the Chinese Immigration Act prohibited almost all people of Chinese and Asian descent from entering Canada. The only few exceptions were diplomats, foreign students, and "special circumstance" granted by the minister of immigration. Until the repeal of the Act in 1947, fewer than 50 Chinese entered Canada. There were many reasons leading to this act, especially racism towards the Chinese from the white Canadians.
The act was repealed in 1947, with Canada's signing of the United Nations' Charter of Human Rights. However, it was not until the adoption of the points system in 1967 when Chinese immigrants could enter Canada under the same criteria as immigrants from other countries.
"An Act respecting Chinese Immigation"
"His Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Commons of Canada, enacts as follows:"
"No person of Chinese origin or descent...shall be permitted to enter or land in Canada..."
This excerpt from the piece of legislation can be viewed in the documentary, In the Shadow of Gold Mountain.
Passed on July the 1st, 1923, the Chinese Immigration Act prohibited almost all people of Chinese and Asian descent from entering Canada. The only few exceptions were diplomats, foreign students, and "special circumstance" granted by the minister of immigration. Until the repeal of the Act in 1947, fewer than 50 Chinese entered Canada. There were many reasons leading to this act, especially racism towards the Chinese from the white Canadians.
The act was repealed in 1947, with Canada's signing of the United Nations' Charter of Human Rights. However, it was not until the adoption of the points system in 1967 when Chinese immigrants could enter Canada under the same criteria as immigrants from other countries.