OVERVIEW OF IMMIGRATION:

THE PUBLIC HISTORY

OBJECTIVES

1. Gain a broad perspective on the different eras of and trends in immigration (historical and contemporary)

2. Understand important terms and processes related to modern immigration

3. Explore how the official policy of multiculturalism is related to immigration

4. OVERALL: Continue to add public context to your collection of private histories

1- TRENDS IN IMMIGRATION

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/publications/legacy/index.asp

1- TRENDS IN IMMIGRATION

Chapter 1: Introduction

Title Justification:• Not much of a title! Read the

excerpt you’ve been given and suggest your own.

Connections to your research?

Loyalist immigrants on their way to settlement in Upper Canada,the end of the 18th century.C.W. Jeffereys/National Archives of Canada (C 20587)

1- TRENDS IN IMMIGRATION

Chapter 2: The Arrival of the Europeans

Title Justification:• First wave of modern immigration to

the established Canadian country• Clifford Sifton: Settle the West with

agricultural-appropriate immigrants. Why?

• Racism present. Still a desire to have a British-based (white, Christian) society.

• Russian, Ukranian, Italian immigration

• British Home Children

Connections to your research?

1- TRENDS IN IMMIGRATION

Chapter 3: Charting a New Course

Title Justification:• Restrictive policies put in place. Why?

• 1906- increased deportation power, set landing fees, increased number of prohibited categories (nationalities)

• 1910- conferred on the Cabinet the authority to exclude “immigrants belonging to any race deemed unsuited to the climate or requirements of Canada.”

• 1907 Race Riot• Komagata Maru

Connections to your research?

1- TRENDS IN IMMIGRATION

Chapter 4: Immigration Slump

Title Justification:• “Prior to the First World War, immigration officials had

chosen immigrants largely on the basis of the contribution that they could make to the Canadian economy, whereas now they attached more importance to a prospective immigrant’s cultural and ideological complexion.”

• Exceptions to above: Russian Mennonites and Jews• Depression “chokes off immigration”• Guest children • Japanese internment

Connections to your research?

1- TRENDS IN IMMIGRATION Chapter 5:Towards the Canadian Citizenship Act

Title Justification:• “One by–product of Canada’s new self–

awareness in these buoyant years was a vigorous nationalism, which found expression in the Canadian Citizenship Act of 1947.”

• 1947 Act: clarified ambiguities, defined Canadian citizen”

• Liberalisation: Our “new Canadians” bring to this country much that is rich and good, and in Canada they find a new way of life and new hope for the future….For the national unity of Canada and for the future and greatness of this country…that all of us are able to say with pride and say with meaning: “I am a Canadian citizen.”

Connections to your research?

1- TRENDS IN IMMIGRATION

Chapter 6: Trail Blazing Initiatives

Title Justification:• Stronger recognition of refugees. Why?• Tie-ins with multiculturalism• Abolishing of overtly racist policies;

Introduction of points system• New faces: In 1966, 87 percent of Canada’s

immigrants had been of European origin, while only four years later 50 percent came from quite different regions of the world: the West Indies, Guyana, Haiti, Hong Kong, India, the Philippines, and Indochina.

Connections to your research?

1- TRENDS IN IMMIGRATION

1- TRENDS IN IMMIGRATION

2- TERMS AND PROCESSES

Major Categories of Immigrants• Family Class• Independent

• Skilled worker• Entrepreneur• Investor• Self-employed

• Refugees• Claimants• Government-Sponsored

Major Immigration Statuses• Permanent Resident• Temporary Resident• Citizen

2- TERMS AND PROCESSES

3- IMMIGRATION & MULTICULTURALISM

Multiculturalism as policy…

• As a concept, replaces biculturalism (but NOT bilingualism)

• Pet project of Pierre Trudeau (Liberal PM)

• 4 objectives of policy:1. Assist cultural groups to carry on own cultural

practices and activities2. Overcome barriers to participation in Canadian

life3. Promote relations between all cultural groups4. Assist immigrants to learn French/English

3- IMMIGRATION & MULTICULTURALISM

“Canada has outgrown the concept of official multiculturalism and therefore, the 1988 Multiculturalism Act should be rescinded. “ Socials 11 Essay Question

What do you think?

4- ADDING PUBLIC CONTEXT TO PRIVATE EXPERIENCES

“[Oral history]… is a platform where the people, who form a discipline, in harmony or in contradiction, can reconstruct a history of knowledge sensitive to the personal as well as the public.”

Identify two ways you can incorporate information you gathered or knowledge you created today to assist in telling a story that accounts for both the public and the personal.