Scandal: Chinese Immigrants In Canada

Scandal: a disgraceful action with damage to reputation (Google). Though Canada may be a proud nation, much of the dark past is deeply buried. One of the many scandals of Canada includes forcing the Chinese to pay head taxes reveal Canada’s racist and unjust past. There is a significant relationship between the increasing amount of head taxes and the decreasing Chinese population in Canada. With the Gold Rush in the 1860s, many Chinese immigrants arrived in Canada to search for a fortune of their own. Little did they know that the head taxes would increase from fifty dollars to five hundred dollars in a matter of three years (n.a., Taxing) to reduce the numbers of Chinese immigrants. Inching its way with the small steps being taken to addressing
It all began with the Fraser Gold Rush in 1857 and the Cariboo Gold Rush in 1861 (Chan, 14), many foreigners came to strike it rich in Canada. The majority of the miners were of the Chinese race (Chan, 13), much to the dismay of fellow Caucasian miners. Within just two years of the Fraser Gold Rush, the town of Victoria, British Columbia, has grown in population from just 300 to 4461, with the Chinese population at about 1580 (Chan, 15). This issue pertains to rights and laws that are relevant to the everyday life of the many Caucasian individuals, as many felt that the Chinese people were taking over all the jobs and eventually, their town. Anecdotal evidence often provides a deeper look into an issue, in this case, the story of Chin Wong. Chin came to Canada in 1911 at the age of twenty to find a job (The). He returned to China at the age of 40 to get married (The). He married late because he came from a poor background and the five hundred dollar head tax was almost impossible to pay off and put him in great debt (The). He returned to Canada within a year to avoid repaying the head tax and got a job in Whitehorse, Yukon Territory (The). He worked hard and was paid poorly, but at least he was starting to earn his keep (The). In 1947, when he made enough money, he paid one thousand dollars to get his wife and son to come to Canada (The). This was one of the many tales that revealed the hardships and
Forcing the Chinese people to pay the head tax is a glimpse of Canada’s racist and unjust past. The Canadian government had many hideous ideas in mind to restrict the flow of the Chinese immigrants streaming into Canada. This was evident in the increasing head taxes over the years, as well as the Chinese Exclusion Act. The Canadian government has only begun this long and tedious journey of apologies, reparations, and acknowledging the Chinese people as true Canadian citizens. Canada has much explaining to do, and no matter what the circumstances are, the Chinese people have suffered long enough to earn a few words and actions from the Canadian government. Without any actions being taken or accounted for, many of the Chinese people feel undervalued and not a true Canadian citizen. Canadians should work together and not look at each other’s race. It is a matter of individuality and uniqueness that makes Canada a mosaic of humankind, all part of a whole, a country, who is proud of its colourful and diverse nation, a country that is honoured to be a part of a new civilization. A country called