1st Year Hon. Mention: Exploring Racism in Canada’s Immigration Laws

SOSC 1350, Gender and the Law. CD: Reese Simpkins.

Abstract

For this assignment, the author takes care to emphasize the relationship between the Chinese "Head Tax" and "White Canada" policies in the early 20th century.  The argument about such a relationship is clear: “Due to the economic prosperity and enhanced cultural awareness often associated with increased immigration, Canadians are expected to embrace new immigrants regardless of their ethnic or racial characteristics; however, a close examination of Canada’s past and current treatment of non-white immigrants reveals that this has not been the case (Jakubowski & Comack, 2014, p. 88)." Well-documented sources support the author's view that Chinese immigrants have been disadvantaged by immigration laws. For example, a key passage concerns the Canadian Pacific Railway project that saw many Chinese immigrants exploited for cheap labour and later impacted negatively by the Immigration Act of 1910. Overall, this essay invites more questions about diversity and inclusion in present-day Canada.