Push, Pull, and Promises

During the decades preceding World War I many people were forced to leave their homelands to escape poverty, persecution or political strife. Poor farmers from Europe, destitute children from Britain and persecuted minorities from Russia were among the multitudes that looked to Canada for a better future. Although Canadian immigration policy sought to quickly populate the country with productive citizens, not everyone was welcome. Chinese immigration, for example, was restricted by an expensive head tax.

Canadian Government Emigration Offices, Trafalgar Square, London, England, c1910 Library and Archives Canada PA-124866

Immigrants were lured to Canada by attractive advertising, firsthand accounts and popular literature. The Dominion Government, colonization agencies and transportation companies used posters, displays and lectures to cultivate a glowing image of the new country. What landless farmer could resist the offer of 160 acres of free land in “Canada’s Last Best West?” Vast, beautiful, noble and productive, Canada offered “A New Homeland” of freedom and boundless opportunity.

Back Cover of Canada West - The New Homeland promotional pamphlet, 1927 Glenbow Archives 971-2-C212c-1927-back

Convinced by compelling propaganda and embellished personal stories, many immigrants were ill-prepared for the challenges that lay ahead. They faced language barriers, loneliness, physical hardship, severe weather and frequent discrimination. As newcomers adjusted to life in Canada, they reached out to their neighbours, thereby forging the bonds of community.

Canadian Pacific immigration poster in Ukrainian, c1910 Glenbow Archives Poster-32

Party of Scottish Crofters preparing to embark on CP Ship for Canada, n.d. CP Archives NS-8454

Today, Canada is a multicultural nation of 36.5 million which draws its unique character and strengths from the diversity of its peoples. The immigrant story continues with each generation although the steamships and colonist cars have long since given way to air travel. As Canadians, we all share in the immigrant story for it is “Our Story.”

British immigrant children from Dr. Barnardo’s Homes at Landing stage, St. John, NB, n.d., Library and Archives Canada PA-041785