Irish and Chinese Waves of Immigration

Even before the nineteenth century the Irish has had a major impact on Canada, it is believed that up to five percent of the population of New France was of Irish origins and Irish fishermen had been coming to Newfoundland since the mid sixteenth century. The population of Irish immigrants in Canada exploded during the 1840s and 1850s following the Great Potato Famine, so much so that, “by 1871 the Irish were the largest ethnic group in every large town and city of Canada, with the exceptions of Montréal and Québec City.” ... Chinese immigrants have also had a long history in Canada, even though their history is shorter than the Irish. The first Chinese immigrants to Canada arrived in 1788 to start a trading post on West Coast and there were close to seven thousand Chinese immigrants in British Columbia by 18604. During the 1880s close to 15 000 Chinese immigrants worked to create the Canadian Pacific Railway and around 600 Chinese workers were killed. Additionally, starting in 1885, “Chinese migrants were obligated to pay a $50 "entry" or "head" tax before being admitted into Canada. The Chinese were the only ethnic group to pay a tax to enter Canada.”
Irish and Chinese Waves of Immigration

Coady Gillard

Grade 11

Ascension Collegiate
Georgetown, Newfoundland and Labrador

I had recently read about immigrants in relation to the Syrian Refugees. When I saw this question, I immediately knew it would be my topic.

Related Essays

  • The True Origin of Canada

    The True Origin of Canada

    Ivan Hui

    North Vancouver, British Columbia

    ‘[T]he entire Canadian militia fought together for a cause, leading to the citizens to develop feelings of nationalism and pride’

  • Bâtir une nation

    Bâtir une nation

    Adario Chirgwin-Dasgupta

    Montréal, Quebec

    Cette question m'a permis de voir comment Louis Riel a défendu les droits de son peuple, des actions qui semblent véritablement héroïques.

 
View all essays