CHC2D - Asian Canadian History

What was the Continuous Journey Regulation?

• Regulation that forced Japanese Canadians to journey from the East coast to the interior for detainment during WW2 - No stopping.

• Regulation that ensured people could travel across Canada in one continuous journey via train. Was part of the deal with B.C to ensure rail access.

• Regulation permitting only immigrants who made one continuous journey to get to Canada.

• Regulation ensuring people of Asian descent could not stop while travelling across B.C.

What was Chinese Head Taxation?

• A tax placed on Chinese people who want to immigrate to Canada.

• A tax placed on Chinese people already living in Canada.

• A tax placed on Chinese people who want to move to a different location in Canada.

• A tax on Chinese people based on members of their household.

Why was Chinese Head Taxation implemented?

• The B.C provincial government saw an opportunity to make revenue off its large Chinese population.

• The Canadian Government no longer had a use for Chinese labour so they wanted to discourage Chinese people from coming to Canada.

• The RCMP implemented this tax in order to help fund policing of new Chinese Immigrants.

• The Canadian Government saw an opportunity to increase revenue now that B.C had joined confederation.

How did the Continuous Journey Regulation have an impact on the outcome of the Komagata Maru?

• The Komagata Maru sank off the coast of B.C attempting to make one continuous journey to Canada - a tragedy.

• The Komagata Maru made one continuous journey so the people on board were permitted in Canada.

• Due to the fact that the Komagata Maru did NOT make a continuous journey, the Canadian Government refused its docking/access to Canada.

• The Komagata Maru was completing one continuous journey to USA so Canada provided them with resources to ensure they continue on.

What was the significance of the Chinese Immigration Act of 1923?

• Removed the Chinese head tax.

• Banned the entry of virtually all Chinese immigrants for 24 years.

• Effectively opened our borders to more Chinese immigration to Canada as well as other Asian countries.

• An act created in partnership with China in order to ensure consistent labour for Canada.

When did Chinese and South Asian Canadians become enfranchised at the federal and provincial level in Canada?

• 1947

• 1923

• 1950

• 1989

What were the contributions of Chinese Canadians to the war effort during WW2?

• More than 600 Chinese Canadians fought in WW2 in various fronts/positions. Some were used as secret agents behind enemy lines in Asia.

• None fought in WW2 as the community felt that the Canadian Government did not want them so why should they?

• 100 fought in WW2 but pretending to be a different nationality. Mostly engineers building roads and infrastructure.

• None fought in WW2 as Chinese Canadians were sent to detention camps.

What were the Chinese Canadians' contributions to WW1? Did this change their status in Canada?

• 200+ Volunteered to fight. There was no positive change in status.

• No Chinese people were permitted to volunteer to fight in WW1. There was no positive change in status.

• 3000 Chinese volunteers fought in WW1. They were given the right to vote as a result (enfranchisement)

• 10 Chinese soldiers volunteered but by pretending to be of another nationality. The 10 soldiers were given the right to vote.

What were the Japanese Canadians' contributions to WW1? Did this change their status in Canada?Explain.

• Japanese Canadians fought in WW1 but volunteered under a different nationality. No significant change.

• No Japanese fought in WW1. No significant change.

• 400 served. All Japanese Canadians got the right to vote (1925) federally as a result.

• 222 served. Japanese veterans eventually (1931) got the right to vote provincially as a result.

Thinking / Inquiry

What impact did the Chinese Head Taxation have on Chinese Canadians and their families? Explain.