CANADA’S IMMIGRATION HISTORY Part II

NORTH ATLANTIC TRADING COMPANY CONTRACT

Clifford Sifton made an agreement with this company to direct agriculturalists to Canada whenever possible in return for money

Most European countries at this time had restrictions for emigration

MAJOR ETHNIC GROUPS

Many of the settlers were placed together in blocs to encourage immigration.

This worked for the Ukrainians, as 170 000 people immigrated between 1891 and 1914.

As many as 100 000 Germans were living in Saskatchewan by 1914.

As well, many French immigrants came to Quebec, though the French government was generally opposed to emigration.

MAJOR ETHNIC GROUPS CONTINUED

Sifton did not believe Italian immigrants were suitable because they were not from an agricultural background.

Many Italians worked on the Railways or as Miners. Many of them were Bachelors who would move home after working on projects to contribute to their families in Italy.

Many Italians decided to stay, but lived in the cities rather than the countryside. Italian business districts grew into what we now call `Little Italy`

BRITISH IMMIGRATION

Many professionals emigrated from Britain because of the lack of jobs and growing population. Many expected to receive special treatment in `the colony`.

The Salvation army also helped transport over 150 000 people from the lower classes of British society into Canada.

THE HOME CHILDREN

Many British immigrants were children who arrived without parents and were sent to farms to be apprenticed on farms.

Most of these children came from the slums of major cities and from poor families.

Thomas Barnardo was the most famous of all the philanthropic agents who moved children to Canada. By 1939 he was able to send 30 000 children overseas.

KEY TERMS

Clifford Sifton Dominion Lands Act Home Children