Immigration to Canada

First large group: 1700s

In the 1700s, the French were settling in Quebec and Acadia, followed by some American and European movement.

After the American Revolution ended many Americans loyal to Britain went to Canada as it was the last main territory in North America still loyal to the Crown.

Second large group: 1800s

The War of 1812 promoted British and Irish immigration to Canada. Some British officers went to Canada, fearing that the Americans would invade Canada. While Irish immigration was still high, eventually some went to the United States.

Others went to Canada from America, especially during the Klondike Gold Rush.

Third and fourth groups: 1900s

This time, many people went to Canada from Europe. A large spike in the third group was pre-World War I.

Fifth group: the present

This group saw an increase in Asian immigrants.

Examples from Canadian history

• 1840s - Irish immigrants: Many Irish people came to Canada to escape hunger and poverty during the Great Irish Famine. Some faced prejudice because of their religion, poverty, or fear that they would spread disease. Irish immigrants also helped build canals, bridges, railways, and other public works.

• 1880s to 1920s - Chinese immigrants: Thousands of Chinese workers helped build the Canadian Pacific Railway. In 1885, the Canadian government introduced a special tax on Chinese immigrants, called the Chinese head tax. In 1923, a new law stopped almost all immigration from China. This law remained in place until 1947.

• 1890s to 1920s - Ukrainian and Eastern European immigrants: Many immigrants from Eastern Europe settled on farms or worked in mines, forests, and railway construction. During World War I, the Canadian government treated some people from countries at war with Canada as "enemy aliens". Thousands were held in camps or faced limits on their freedom. Many of those held were Ukrainian immigrants.

• 1914 - Komagata Maru incident: A ship called the Komagata Maru arrived in Vancouver with 376 passengers from South Asia. Most were Sikhs. Canadian immigration rules made it difficult for people from Asia to enter the country. Most passengers were refused entry and had to remain on the ship for about two months. They faced shortages of food and water. The ship was then forced to return to India. After it arrived, some passengers were killed and others were arrested.

• 1900s to 1940s - Jewish immigrants and refugees: Jewish people faced antisemitism and limits on immigration to Canada. In 1939, Canada refused to accept more than 900 Jewish refugees traveling on the ship MS St. Louis. The ship returned to Europe. More than 250 of its passengers were later killed in the Holocaust.

• 1940s - Internment of Italian and Japanese Canadians: During World War II, the Canadian government treated about 31,000 Italian Canadians as "enemy aliens". More than 600 were held in camps, while others faced discrimination or lost their jobs. In 1942, the government also forced about 22,000 Japanese Canadians to leave Canada's West Coast. Many were born in Canada. They lost their homes, and many were held in camps or sent to other parts of the country. The government said these actions were needed for national security. Canada later apologized to Japanese Canadians in 1988 and Italian Canadians in 2021.

• 1940s to 1960s - Racial restrictions on immigration: In 1947, Prime Minister William Lyon Mackenzie King said that immigration should not make a "fundamental alteration in the character of our population". He opposed large-scale immigration from Asia. Canada's immigration policies favoured people from Europe and the United States. The Immigration Act, 1952 allowed the government to continue restricting immigration based on ethnic background and country of origin. Many European immigrants came to work in construction, factories, and other industries, while people from many Asian countries faced greater restrictions. Changes in 1962 and the introduction of a points system in 1967 helped remove racial restrictions from immigration rules.

• 1970s to 1980s - Refugees from Southeast Asia: After wars and political changes in Vietnam, Cambodia, and Laos, many people fled their homes. Canada accepted more than 77,000 refugees from Southeast Asia between 1975 and 1981. Many were helped by Canadian families, community groups, and the government. However, they also faced racism and unfair treatment. A study published in 2001 found that 26% of Southeast Asian refugees surveyed had experienced at least one form of racial discrimination. Some experienced direct racism, while others faced less obvious forms of unfair treatment. Refugees from the region were often called "boat people", although they came from different countries and had different experiences.

• 2010s - Syrian refugees: Canada accepted more than 25,000 Syrian refugees between November 2015 and February 2016. They had fled war in Syria. Governments, charities, and private sponsors helped them settle in Canada. However, the plan also faced public opposition. After the November 2015 Paris attacks, a poll by the Angus Reid Institute found that 54% of Canadians opposed the government's plan to bring 25,000 Syrian refugees to Canada by the start of 2016. Many were worried that there was not enough time for security checks. During the same period, Muslims in Canada faced Islamophobia and cultural clashes.

Immigration and discrimination today

In the 2020s, immigration became an important part of debates about housing, jobs, wages, and public services. Canada's population grew quickly in 2023, largely because of immigration and the arrival of temporary residents. This increased the demand for housing, especially in large cities. The number of homes being built and government planning also affect housing shortages. In a 2026 study, Statistics Canada examined how immigration and changes in population affect housing demand. In a report published in 2024, Statistics Canada found that 51% of racialized people aged 15 and older said they had faced discrimination or unfair treatment during the previous five years. This compared with 27% of non-racialized people. These results came from survey data collected between 2021 and 2024. The figures include people born in Canada as well as immigrants. Many immigrant communities have helped Canada grow while also facing unfair treatment. Even though, some white Canadians see themselves as free from racial prejudice and view Canada as an inclusive society. True inclusion requires more than believing that everyone is treated fairly. It means recognizing the hardships faced by people based on their race or cultural background, and taking action to address them, even when those affected are unpopular or socially excluded. A society's moral character is reflected in how it treats its vulnerable people. Canada's immigration history includes both the contributions of newcomers and the effects of government policies, employers, and public attitudes on their lives.