The Truth About

The Chinese Canadian Immigrants

Background Information:
The major periods of Chinese immigration to
Canada is from 1858 to present day.
They travelled to Canada because at that time,
Canada was in need for workers to help build
the Canadian Pacific Railway (CPR).
At least 15,000 Chinese immigrants came to
Canada to settle and help build the railroad
from 1881 to 1885.
 Why Did They Travel to Canada?
The Chinese Railway Workers were
employed to build the part of the
railway that went through B.C. There
were many factors that were
pushing the Chinese citizens away
from their home country, which will
A photo of the leaders of the two
be mentioned on the next page. The different railroad leaders, where
there is said to be no Chinese
main pulling factors would be new workers; but there are two in the
crowd.
opportunities in Canada. Taken on May 10th, 1869
What Was Life Like Before Canada?
In the mid-1800’s, China’s population
was 450 million or more people. Due to
the high population, there was famine,
land shortage, heavy taxes, and
inflation. Although it was among one
of the richest countries in the world
during the mid-1800’s, the heavy In the 19th century,(before
their revolution) more than 4
inflation and taxes caused people to out of every five Chinese
people were peasant farmers.
want to leave.
 Treatment and Experiences After
Immigration
In Canada, the Chinese immigrants experienced racial
discrimination, and heavy physical labour. At least 4
Chinese workers passed away for every mile built for
the railway. Despite this, their funeral practices were
heavily disrespected. Soon later, the Chinese head tax
was created in order to keep the Chinese population
less than the white European one. The price was
raised to $500 per person in 1905.

The headline of a journal made in
1896.
An illustration made in 1896
kept on the global newspaper
comparing the tax to a wall.
Chinese Head Tax recipts for
the years 1914, 1918, and 1924