SWRK 1001H Lecture Notes - Lecture 9: Eurocentrism, Domestic Violence, Forced Marriage
28 Jun 2018
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SWRK1001H: Introduction to Social Welfare
Tuesday, March 14th, 2017 – Lecture Week 9
Chapter 13: The Social Welfare of Recent Immigrants
Racism in Canada – History to Present Day
Chinese in Canada
Chinese Head Tax – after Canadian Pacific Railway was built by Chinese workers, brought to Canada as
cheap labour, laws were put into place to limit the number of Chinese and South Asian immigrants to
Canada. In addition to these laws, a head tax of $50 was set on any Chinese immigrant wanting to
come to Canada (raised to $100 in 1901 and $500 in 1904)
Chinese Exclusion Act of 1923 admitted only specific classes of Chinese immigrants, barring them
almost completely. The Exclusion Act was finally repealed, only in 1947
Changes to Legislation Affecting “Visible Minorities”
In 1967, new immigration legislation introduced a point system, where immigrants had to met specific
criteria in education, work experience, language fluency and age, in order to be granted access.
Shift from European immigrants to skilled immigrants from Asia, Africa, and South Central America
WHY do you think these shifts started to happen?
oAs a way to make it more difficult for racialized people to come into Canada
These increases (in immigration of ‘visible minorities’) affected public policy (i.e. multiculturalism
policy)
Multiculturalism
Multiculturalism Policy – 1971 – to foster a sense of belonging in Canada – a chance for ethnic
minorities to reinforce their identities in Canada, but to also demonstrate a commitment to equal
opportunity, specifically to ensure that ethnic minorities could begin to access meaningful employment
1988 – Multiculturalism Act passed to ensure equal opportunities in employment. Programs
established to help fulfill the policy’s objectives, including culturally-sensitive training, cultural
competency training
multiculturalism is celebrated and renowned in Canada, yet economic, social and political barriers
continue to exist
why do these barriers continue to exist?
oThey don’t have equal access to employment – we say they are given equal opportunity but in
reality, they are not seen as equally able
Using an Anti-Oppressive Lens…
How might you address/deconstruct the following sentences, using what you have learned in the
course thus far:
oCitizenship Responsibilities: Taking responsibility for oneself and one’s family – getting a job,
taking care of one’s family and working hard in keeping with one’s abilities are important
Canadian values. Work to personal dignity and self-respect, and to Canada’s prosperity”
You are undeserving poor if you don’t get a job, and it is shameful if you cannot get a
job and take responsibility and take care of yourself and your family
Personal dignity is tied to employment
What values and ideologies underlie this statement?
oTake responsibility for yourself and your family, because it is not our responsibility (residual
approach)
find more resources at oneclass.com
find more resources at oneclass.com
Document Summary
Tuesday, march 14th, 2017 lecture week 9. Chapter 13: the social welfare of recent immigrants. Racism in canada history to present day. Chinese head tax after canadian pacific railway was built by chinese workers, brought to canada as cheap labour, laws were put into place to limit the number of chinese and south asian immigrants to. In addition to these laws, a head tax of was set on any chinese immigrant wanting to come to canada (raised to in 1901 and in 1904) Chinese exclusion act of 1923 admitted only specific classes of chinese immigrants, barring them almost completely. The exclusion act was finally repealed, only in 1947. In 1967, new immigration legislation introduced a point system, where immigrants had to met specific criteria in education, work experience, language fluency and age, in order to be granted access. Shift from european immigrants to skilled immigrants from asia, africa, and south central america.
