SOCA02H3 Lecture : Chinese Immigrants.docx
Document Summary
Study on chinese in saskatchewan: collected detailed life histories of elderly chinese w/ ref to work experiences in canada. Initial wave of chinese immigrants miners from west coast of us and immigrants from china. Chinese labours recruited to fill labour shortage esp during construction of canadian pacific. Anti-chinese bills restrict their civil rights. 1st bill, head tax = & to then : eventually restricted all chinese entering canada (till 1947) Came to canada in late teens/ early 20"s from rural families in the same province where many male members went overseas. No working exp prior to immigration (except working agriculture) Immigrants borrowed from relatives in canada to finance the trip & paid them back after having a chance to work and save $ Kinship assistance frequently extended beyond initial stage of immigration help w/ legal and social obstacles. Long hours, little security, low pay, low skill.