Social Problem Resolved
The repeal of the American Chinese Exclusion Act in 1943, although only left the gates for Chinese immigration marginally open for America, was recognized by many Canadian government officials. By July of 1943 even the prime minister, Mackenzie King, acknowledged that the Chinese Immigration Act was a "mistake" and needed to be resolved. With China's contribution to World War 2 through both efforts by the mainland population and by over 500 Chinese-Canadians, the Chinese-Canadians, although still discriminated against in Canada, were treated with more respect. The Canadian government also began viewing the introduction of the act in 1923, as well as general Chinese discrimination in Canada, as shameful. In 1946, the signing of the Canadian Citizenship Act made it extremely difficult for Canada to maintain a second-class immigration and citizenship policy for the Chinese. (5)
After a few informal meetings, the Committee for the Repeal of the Chinese Immigration Act was formed. In this committee of 79 members was Kew Dock Yip, the first Chinese-Canadian lawyer. Born in 1906, his father was a prominent businessman who had moved to Ontario because there was "less discrimination in Ontario, because there were less Chinese" (6). Mr. Dock Yip was called to the bar in 1945. The Committee included many other prominent Canadians, only 20% of them Chinese. Non-Chinese members included many people from other immigrant groups, such as Jewish-Canadian rights lawyer Irving Himel.
After a few informal meetings, the Committee for the Repeal of the Chinese Immigration Act was formed. In this committee of 79 members was Kew Dock Yip, the first Chinese-Canadian lawyer. Born in 1906, his father was a prominent businessman who had moved to Ontario because there was "less discrimination in Ontario, because there were less Chinese" (6). Mr. Dock Yip was called to the bar in 1945. The Committee included many other prominent Canadians, only 20% of them Chinese. Non-Chinese members included many people from other immigrant groups, such as Jewish-Canadian rights lawyer Irving Himel.
After a short period of time, several newspapers had begun supporting the repeal of the Chinese Immigration Act, such as the Toronto Globe and Mail as well as the Vancouver News-Herald. Many organizations that had once supported restricted Chinese immigration changed their opinions partially due to influence from members of the CRCIA such as, the federal Co-operative Commonwealth Federation and Conservative parties, the Council of Women, and labour groups such as the Canadian Congress of Labour and the Toronto Trades and Labour Councils. The CRCIA formed an impressive coalition with an extremely diverse number of Canadian government, religious, and various other groups.
With formal support from various trade unions and labour groups, on January the 24th of 1947, the CRCIA made a concise speech to Mackenzie King denouncing the Chinese Immigration Act as a racist law. (7) On May the 14th, after pressure from Chinese citizens across Canada, as well as many activist groups similar to the CRCIA, William Lyon Mackenzie King's government repealed the Chinese Immigration Act of 1923.
This repeal, although did little to provide complete equality, did allow close family members of Chinese-Canadian citizens to immigrate. It was also a very symbolic achievement for various organizations. (8) It was not until further fighting for equality by almost all races considered "second-class" by immigration policies, namely Jews, African-Canadians, and Indians, that the points system was adopted in 1967, admitting immigrants based on education, age, and ability to speak English or French.
With formal support from various trade unions and labour groups, on January the 24th of 1947, the CRCIA made a concise speech to Mackenzie King denouncing the Chinese Immigration Act as a racist law. (7) On May the 14th, after pressure from Chinese citizens across Canada, as well as many activist groups similar to the CRCIA, William Lyon Mackenzie King's government repealed the Chinese Immigration Act of 1923.
This repeal, although did little to provide complete equality, did allow close family members of Chinese-Canadian citizens to immigrate. It was also a very symbolic achievement for various organizations. (8) It was not until further fighting for equality by almost all races considered "second-class" by immigration policies, namely Jews, African-Canadians, and Indians, that the points system was adopted in 1967, admitting immigrants based on education, age, and ability to speak English or French.