"Good" immigrants
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In the early 20th century, the Canadian government’s goal through immigration was to grow the economy and keep the country culturally similar to its European roots, which made them have clear ideas about what made a “good” immigrant. The government specifically looked for people who could work in agriculture, industry, or help build infrastructure. At the same time, there was a strong preference for immigrants from Britain, France, and other Western European countries. These groups were seen as more likely to fit in with the existing population, which was mostly white, English-speaking, and Christian.
Laws like the 1906 and 1910 Immigration Acts gave the government a lot of power to decide who could enter the country. They used these laws to exclude people based on financial or health status (or even “morals”). Non-European immigrants, especially those from Asia, Eastern Europe, and the Middle East, faced strict requirements because of the fear that they wouldn’t easily fit into Canadian society.
In my opinion, the focus on economic skills and contributions is ironic, especially when compared to today’s reality. Even now, many immigrants come to Canada with strong qualifications, like doctors or engineers, but they aren’t allowed to work in these fields right away. They often have to go through a long (and expensive) process to get recertified, even if they were fully trained in their home countries. This forces skilled immigrants to take on low-wage jobs, completely disregarding experience. I find this especially frustrating in healthcare. It’s also frustrating to see that while the government has always wanted immigrants who can help the economy, the system often blocks them from doing so.