Keith Mack
Canada's immigration laws have evolved since the country's first immigration policy, the Immigration Act of 1869, which focused on ensuring the safety of immigrants during their journey to Canada and protecting them from exploitation. The laws have been influenced by various factors, including social, political, and economic factors, as well as race, desirability, and integration. In 1906, the Immigration Act introduced more restrictive policies, and in 1910-1911, discriminatory practices were prevalent, targeting Black farmers fleeing persecution in the United States. In 1967, a significant shift occurred with the introduction of a points system, liberalizing immigration policies. More recently, in 2025, Canada proposed a controversial immigration bill, the Strong Borders Act, which aims to address security concerns, restrict asylum claims, and enhance border control with the United States.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| First immigration policy | 1869 |
| First immigration policy focus | Ensuring the safety of immigrants during their passage to Canada and protecting them from exploitation |
| Immigration Act of 1906 | Introduced a more restrictive immigration policy |
| Immigration policy liberalized | 1967 |
| Current immigration bill | The Strong Borders Act |
| Current immigration bill introduced by | Canada's Minister of Public Safety, Gary Anandasangaree |
| Current immigration bill introduced on | June 3, 2025 |
| Current immigration bill page count | 127 |
| Current immigration bill purpose | Restrict asylum claims, give authorities more power to halt the processing of immigration applications, curb organized crime, and restrict the flow of illegal drugs and weapons |
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What You'll Learn
The Immigration Act of 1869
Canada's first immigration policy, the Immigration Act of 1869, was passed on June 22, 1869, two years after Canadian Confederation. The Act was the first of its kind in Canada and was influenced by the country's desire to increase its population and economic prosperity to counter the potential threat posed by the expansionist impulses of its southern neighbour, the United States.
The Act also established immigration offices in London, England, other parts of the United Kingdom, and various locations in Canada. It imposed a duty of one dollar on immigrants arriving from European ports, and regulations were put in place to improve travel conditions. Captains were required to submit detailed passenger lists to the Collector of Customs within 24 hours of arrival and were responsible for ensuring passenger protection, including allowing passengers to remain on the ship for up to 48 hours after landing.
While the Immigration Act of 1869 contained few restrictions on immigration overall, it laid the foundation for subsequent immigration policies in Canada, with many of its provisions being maintained in the Immigration Act of 1906, which introduced more stringent restrictions.
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The Immigration Act of 1906
Canada has regulated immigration since 1869, with laws shaped by the social, political, and economic climate, as well as race, desirability, and integration. The Immigration Act of 1906 was a significant piece of legislation that introduced several changes to the country's immigration policies.
The Act was developed under the guidance of Frank Oliver, the minister of the interior from 1905 to 1911. Oliver favoured a more selective policy that focused on cultural and ethnic origins rather than economic potential. This shift in policy was supported by a significant portion of society, as immigration was becoming increasingly diverse at the turn of the century due to Canada's relatively open immigration policy.
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The Strong Borders Act
Canada has a long history of immigration laws, with the first immigration policy being enacted in 1869. The Immigration Act of 1869 focused on ensuring the safety of immigrants during their journey to Canada and protecting them from exploitation. Over the years, Canada's immigration laws have been shaped by the social, political, and economic climate, as well as race, desirability, and integration.
In 1904, the Royal Commission on Italian Immigration was appointed to investigate the exploitation of Italian labourers by employment brokers known as padroni. This led to the Immigration Act of 1906, which introduced more restrictive immigration policies and expanded the categories of prohibited immigrants.
In 1910-1911, Prime Minister Sir Wilfred Laurier's government passed an Order-in-Council banning all "negro" immigration, claiming that Black farmers attempting to leave the United States for a better life in Canada were climatically unsuitable.
In 1967, Canada liberalized its immigration policy with the introduction of a points system, and the cultural diversity of Canadian immigrants became a key component of Canadian identity.
More recently, in June 2025, the Canadian government proposed a new immigration bill, The Strong Borders Act, which seeks to make significant changes to the country's immigration and security policies. The bill, introduced by Canada's Minister of Public Safety, Gary Anandasangaree, aims to curb organized crime, stop the flow of illegal drugs and weapons, and boost the integrity of the country's immigration system.
The new bill also proposes additional restrictions on cash transactions over $10,000 and cash deposits by one individual into another's account. It seeks to restrict some asylum claims, particularly from those who have been in Canada for more than a year, and gives the government the power to suspend processing new applications for matters of public health and national security.
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Canada's history of inclusion and exclusion
Canada has regulated immigration since 1869, with laws and border controls that have evolved and changed over time, shaped by the shifting social, political, and economic climate. The country's immigration legislation reflects its changing beliefs and its history of inclusion and exclusion.
Canada's first immigration policy, the Immigration Act of 1869, had few restrictions and primarily focused on ensuring the safety of immigrants during their passage to Canada and protecting them from exploitation upon arrival. This open-door approach, which aimed to encourage the settlement of the West, gradually gave way to more restrictive measures that discriminated on the basis of race, ethnicity, and national origin.
In 1904, the Royal Commission on Italian Immigration was called to investigate the exploitation of Italian labourers by employment brokers known as padroni. This led to the Immigration Act of 1906, which introduced a more restrictive immigration policy by expanding the categories of prohibited immigrants, formalizing a deportation process, and granting the government enhanced powers to make arbitrary judgements on admission.
Canada's history also includes instances of explicit racial discrimination in its immigration policies. In 1910-1911, in response to persecuted Black farmers attempting to leave the United States, Prime Minister Sir Wilfred Laurier's government passed an Order-in-Council banning all "negro" immigration, using the pretext of their supposed climatic unsuitability.
In 1967, Canada liberalized its immigration policy with the introduction of a "points system," marking a shift towards recognizing the cultural diversity of immigrants as a key component of Canadian identity. This period also saw major amendments to immigration legislation, increasing the number of immigrants from Asia and other regions.
More recently, in 2025, Canada proposed a sweeping immigration and security bill, the Strong Borders Act, which aims to restrict asylum claims, enhance border security, and curb the flow of illegal drugs and weapons. However, critics argue that the bill would drastically restrict refugee protections and allow for mass deportations, contradicting Canada's history of inclusion and openness to newcomers.
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The changing social, political and economic climate
Canada has regulated immigration since 1869, and its laws have been shaped by the changing social, political, and economic climate. The Immigration Act of 1869 focused on ensuring the safety of immigrants during their journey to Canada and protecting them from exploitation. The act was part of an open-door approach that aimed to encourage the settlement of the West. However, this approach gradually gave way to more restrictive measures influenced by prevailing social and political sentiments.
In the late 19th century, as emigration rates exceeded immigration, concerns about specific immigrant groups began to emerge. The Royal Commission on Chinese Immigration, appointed in this period, reflected a growing sentiment that Chinese immigrants were immoral, prone to disease, and incapable of assimilation. This led to the Immigration Act of 1906, which introduced more restrictive policies, expanded prohibited immigrant categories, and formalized deportation processes.
The social and political climate continued to shape immigration laws in the early 20th century. In 1910-1911, Prime Minister Sir Wilfred Laurier's government passed an Order-in-Council banning "negro" immigration, claiming that Black farmers seeking refuge from persecution in the United States were climatically unsuitable for Canada. World War I and the Great Depression in the 1930s also significantly reduced immigration, with the lowest numbers of landed immigrants recorded during these periods.
Canada's immigration policies underwent significant liberalization in 1967 with the introduction of a points system. This shift reflected changing social and political beliefs, promoting cultural diversity and a more inclusive national identity. The country's immigration laws continued to evolve, influenced by world events, political changes in other nations, and Canada's economic situation. For example, Canada admitted immigrants from Eastern Europe in the 1980s and 1990s following the fall of the Berlin Wall and the breakup of the Soviet Union.
In recent years, Canada has proposed controversial immigration bills, such as the Strong Borders Act, which aims to restrict asylum claims, enhance border security, and curb the flow of illegal drugs and weapons. These proposals have sparked concerns about privacy, civil liberties, and potential breaches of international law. Critics argue that these bills could lead to mass deportations and restrict refugee protections. The changing social, political, and economic landscape continues to shape Canada's immigration laws, reflecting the country's evolving beliefs and history of inclusion and exclusion.
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Frequently asked questions
Canada first regulated immigration in 1869 with the Immigration Act.
The Immigration Act of 1869 focused on ensuring the safety of immigrants during their journey to Canada and protecting them from exploitation once they arrived.
Canadian immigration law has evolved with the country's social, political, and economic climate. It has been influenced by beliefs about race, desirability, and integration, resulting in both inclusive and exclusive periods.
Yes, in 2025, Canada proposed the Strong Borders Act, which seeks to restrict asylum claims, enhance border security, and curb the flow of illegal drugs and weapons.
Critics argue that the Strong Borders Act could breach civil liberties, restrict refugee protections, and enable mass deportations. There are also concerns about privacy and a lack of appeal processes.
