Subjective Factors
1. Groups and individuals who claimed that there was a social problem that needed to be addressed or resolved
The Chinese Immigration Act of 1923 outraged the Chinese communities living in Canada, especially in British Columbia where the Chinese were the most populous. Passed on July 1st, 1923, the Chinese began referring to Dominion Day as "humiliation day," because they felt the act was unjust and racist towards the Chinese.
For over 20 years, new immigrants were excluded from Canada. However, in 1945, Kew Dock Yip, the first Chinese-Canadian lawyer, was admitted to the bar in Ontario. Working together with Jewish civil rights lawyer Irving Himel and activists all across Canada, Dock Yip fought for the repeal of the Chinese Immigration Act.
2. How the social problem was described by the groups and individuals involved
The Chinese living in Canada claimed the act separated them from their families, for their families could not come to Canada. This restriction had already been somewhat in effect, for many Chinese could not afford the head tax for their whole family. However, there was still hope that one day, they would save up enough to bring their families over, or to return to China. With the introduction of the act, however, the gates were completely closed. Bachelor-men "were left alone in Gold Mountain ... Dozens went mad; many killed themselves" (3). After Canada's signing of the Charter of Human Rights at the end of World War II, Dock Yip and the Chinese communities stated that Canada had to repeal the Chinese Immigration Act. They argued the act violated the Charter, which stated that all human beings are "equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law" (4).
3. Individuals or groups who were held responsible for the social problem
It is difficult to trace down specific individuals within the government that were held responsible for the introduction of the act; however, here are a few:
William Lyon Mackenzie King & government: Mackenzie King was born in 1874 and died in 1891. He was the tenth and longest serving prime minister of Canada, separated into 3 separate terms. He was prime minster when the Chinese Immigration Act was passed. He and his liberal government supported and helped pass the act.
Ku Klux Klan: The Ku Klux Klan made many appearances all across Canada, especially saskatchewan, supporting white dominance, expressing racism towards the Chinese. Many members of Mackenzie King's liberal government and Robert Borden's conservative government were either directly involved or had ties with members of this organization.
Asiatic Exclusion League: The Asiatic Exclusion League, first formed in British Columbia in 1907, originally consisted of various important Conservative and Liberal members of the Canadian Government. On September 7th, 1907, the members of the AEL gave racist speeches, causing a riot by the listeners in Chinatown. Windows were smashed and racist slogans were painted on walls of China and Japan towns. After this riot, the league disbanded, resurfacing in 1920 to push for the exclusion of Chinese immigrants.
Robert Borden: Sir Robert Laird Borden was born in 1854. He served as prime minister from 1911-1920. In many of his speeches, he showed his support for the exclusion of oriental population, and to fortify the white population in Canada.
The Chinese Immigration Act of 1923 outraged the Chinese communities living in Canada, especially in British Columbia where the Chinese were the most populous. Passed on July 1st, 1923, the Chinese began referring to Dominion Day as "humiliation day," because they felt the act was unjust and racist towards the Chinese.
For over 20 years, new immigrants were excluded from Canada. However, in 1945, Kew Dock Yip, the first Chinese-Canadian lawyer, was admitted to the bar in Ontario. Working together with Jewish civil rights lawyer Irving Himel and activists all across Canada, Dock Yip fought for the repeal of the Chinese Immigration Act.
2. How the social problem was described by the groups and individuals involved
The Chinese living in Canada claimed the act separated them from their families, for their families could not come to Canada. This restriction had already been somewhat in effect, for many Chinese could not afford the head tax for their whole family. However, there was still hope that one day, they would save up enough to bring their families over, or to return to China. With the introduction of the act, however, the gates were completely closed. Bachelor-men "were left alone in Gold Mountain ... Dozens went mad; many killed themselves" (3). After Canada's signing of the Charter of Human Rights at the end of World War II, Dock Yip and the Chinese communities stated that Canada had to repeal the Chinese Immigration Act. They argued the act violated the Charter, which stated that all human beings are "equal before the law and are entitled without any discrimination to equal protection of the law" (4).
3. Individuals or groups who were held responsible for the social problem
It is difficult to trace down specific individuals within the government that were held responsible for the introduction of the act; however, here are a few:
William Lyon Mackenzie King & government: Mackenzie King was born in 1874 and died in 1891. He was the tenth and longest serving prime minister of Canada, separated into 3 separate terms. He was prime minster when the Chinese Immigration Act was passed. He and his liberal government supported and helped pass the act.
Ku Klux Klan: The Ku Klux Klan made many appearances all across Canada, especially saskatchewan, supporting white dominance, expressing racism towards the Chinese. Many members of Mackenzie King's liberal government and Robert Borden's conservative government were either directly involved or had ties with members of this organization.
Asiatic Exclusion League: The Asiatic Exclusion League, first formed in British Columbia in 1907, originally consisted of various important Conservative and Liberal members of the Canadian Government. On September 7th, 1907, the members of the AEL gave racist speeches, causing a riot by the listeners in Chinatown. Windows were smashed and racist slogans were painted on walls of China and Japan towns. After this riot, the league disbanded, resurfacing in 1920 to push for the exclusion of Chinese immigrants.
Robert Borden: Sir Robert Laird Borden was born in 1854. He served as prime minister from 1911-1920. In many of his speeches, he showed his support for the exclusion of oriental population, and to fortify the white population in Canada.