Historically, Canada has faced challenges to its immigration system and plans, and has prevailed in maintaining its significance by navigating difficult challenges. Here is a look at how Canada has managed its immigration historically through difficult times and crises.
What is the Historical Context of Past Immigration Challenges?
Canada Immigration has faced similar challenges to its ability to accept newcomers before. During the first World War, Canada experienced a drop in its intake of newcomers in 1915 to 34,000 compared to over 400,000 just 2 years prior.
Immigration levels started to rise again during the 1920s but were met with further challenges due to the Great Depression followed by World War II. Therefore, immigration levels falling due to an unprecedented situation like the current global pandemic wasn’t something that Canada hasn’t dealt with before.
The recovery from these unprecedented situations has led to great waves of newcomers coming to the country. Thousands of people immigrated to Canada following the establishment of the province of Alberta and Saskatchewan. Unlike other countries in Europe, Canada has abundant land and a low population.
After World War II, Canada emerged strong and stable, but in dire need of a skilled labor workforce to keep up the post-war economy. Over 750,000 immigrants found a home in Canada between 1946-1953 (post World War II period).
Given that Canada’s population was less than 13 million, the size and adaptability of the new population was remarkable. This immigration wave led to a significant increase in the economic development and standard of living, leading to present-day Canada having significant presence on the world stage.
