Handout: Immigration, Refugees, Policy


  1. Up until the 20th century, immigration to Canada was largely unrestricted. True or False?

  2. What was the Chinese Head Tax? The Exclusion Act?

  3. The immigration Points System was introduced in what year? 1947, 1957, 1967 or 1977?

  4. In 2007, Sikh immigrants to Canada cannot use the name Singh or Kaur. True or False?

  5. The evacuation of the Japanese Canadians, or Nikkei Kanadajin, from the Pacific Coast was the greatest mass movement in the history of Canada. When did it occur? How many left Canada?

  6. Canada's first Immigration Act and department was created in what year?

  7. Who were the "Wobblies"?

  8. When did Canada sign the 1952 Geneva Convention on the Status of Refugees?

  9. In 1997, what did El Salvador, Guatemala, Bosnia-Herzegovina, Croatia and Sudan have in common in the context of refugee claims?

  10. In 1956, how many Hungarian refugees were admitted?

  11. In what contexts have Canadian citizens been deported? Citizens by birth?

  12. What was the outcome of the claim of 930 Jewish refugees who sailed from Germany in 1939?

  13. 2006 UN Report on International Migration and Development ranked Canada ____ among twenty-eight countries that currently host 75% of all international migrants.

  14. In 1992, in the context of refugee claims, what was Canada the first country in the world to introduce?

  15. In the 1940s and 50s, which ethnic-national groups were no longer considered "enemy aliens"? Name two.

  16. An Order in Council 1919 was issued prohibiting the entry of which three groups because of their "peculiar habits, modes of life and methods of holding property"? When was this revoked?

  17. In what year were racial restrictions removed from the Immigration Act?

  18. In 1911, an order in council was drafted prohibiting the landing of "any immigrant belonging to the Negro race, which race is deemed unsuitable to the climate and requirements of Canada." In what province did this order originate?

  19. What reasons does the current government give for promoting immigration?

  20. When was the right to apply for immigrant status while in Canada revoked?

  21. In 1973, how many Ugandan refugees were permitted to enter Canada? Chilean refugees?

  22. What was the Komagata Maru incident?

  23. Which province(s) have separate immigration acts and powers?

  24. In what year (and a new Immigration Act) were the following groups of people no longer prohibited from immigrating to Canada? "Epileptics, imbeciles, persons guilty of crimes of moral turpitude, homosexuals and people with tuberculosis."

  25. Why was Canada awarded the UN Nansen medal in 1986?

  26. In 1989, what were Bills C-55 and C-84, in the context of refugee claims?

  27. In 1922, approximately what percentage of the population was made up of immigrants? In 1951? In 1971? In 1991? In 2008?

  28. In what year did the government introduce its first long-term commitment to planned immigration?

  29. In what year were 5000 Macedonian refugees admitted to Canada? What was the response of government and public to Chinese "boat people" in the same year?

  30. What are three main categories that current immigration policy in Canada is structured on?

  31. For how long have people been detained without trial in Canada on security grounds since 2001? 

  32. Which PM said the following (and when)? "The policy of the government is to foster the growth of the population of Canada by the encouragement of immigration. The government will seek by legislation, regulation, and vigorous administration, to ensure the careful selection and permanent settlement of such numbers of immigrants as can advantageously be absorbed in our national economy."

  33. What is the Right of Permanent Resident (Landing) Fee? How much is it?