The Precipice of Human Rights

‘The Jewish people suffered endlessly during and before the Second World War as anti-Semitism was on the rise throughout Europe. In desperation, approximately 900 Jews boarded the luxury liner the St. Louis in hopes of escaping a vicious totalitarian government; instead they were rejected by many countries including Canada. Probably one of the most appalling incidents during the Second World War in Canada was the internment of nearly 7,000 Jewish refugees. In Canada there were eight camps that held the Jews from 1940-1943 and of the eight camps two also held German prisoners. Even though Canada knew of the many hardships the Jewish community faced such as Kristallnacht where a lot of Jewish property was destroyed, the government refused to open its doors to the suffering Jews. It was only after the war and learning of the Nazi death camps that Canada decided to accept Jewish refugees. Between 1947 and 1952 approximately 250,000 misplaced persons entered Canada, many who were Jews. Advancements in human policies in regards to the Jewish community occurred in 1947 when Canada changed its immigration policy.’