2] In this lesson I say that it should be clear that the discourse on nationalism is also about ethnicity and ideologies of “race.” If you trace the historical overview of nationalism in Canada in the CanLit guide, you will find many examples of state legislation and policies that excluded and discriminated against certain peoples based on ideas about racial inferiority and capacities to assimilate. – and in turn, state legislation and policies that worked to try to rectify early policies of exclusion and racial discrimination. As the guide points out, the nation is an imagined community, whereas the state is a “governed group of people.” For this blog assignment, I would like you to research and summarize one of the state or governing activities, such as The Royal Proclamation 1763, the Indian Act 1876, Immigration Act 1910, or the Multiculturalism Act 1989 – you choose the legislation or policy or commission you find most interesting. Write a blog about your findings and in your conclusion comment on whether or not your findings support Coleman’s argument about the project of white civility.

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For this blog assignment I have chosen to focus on the immigration act of 1910.  It is however difficult to discuss this act without first mentioning the immigration act of 1906. The immigration act of 1906 was the precursor to the more severe act  implemented in 1910.  The 1906 act defined “an immigrant” and although there has been laws in place since 1869 which had placed certain regulations on immigration, the act of 1906 banned the immigration of individuals who were deemed unwanted by the government.  Not only did the immigration act of 1906 place strict immigration guidelines but it also gave the government the right to deport immigrants and to place a required amount of “landing money” that all immigrants were required to have.

The immigration Act of 1910 is seen as the second event to place restrictive laws on immigration.  The act of 1910 furthered the restrictions on the 1906 Act by stating that the government had the right to prevent the immigration of all “immigrants belonging to any race deemed unsuited to the climate or requirements of Canada.” (Government of Canada) The Act of 1910 also gave the government more power to deport any individuals based on any uncertainty of their morals of political views. Some of the numbers relating to the deportation of immigrants are insane, and based on ridiculous grounds such as illness and that they might potentially become criminals.  The government also introduced an “in-order council” which required all immigrants of Asiatic descent to have $200 in cash when entering Canada.  This head tax was an incredible sum as in general the average worker in Canada made only slightly over $400 annually. The “in-order council” also controlled the $25 fee that was applicable to all other immigrants, this requirement created much protest in Great Britain because immigrants would now have to have an addition $25 to the money that would be needed for their passage to reach Canada.  

Once an immigrant had reached Canada, the act of 1910 decreed that they were on a three year probationary period which meant that until permanent residency was granted, the immigrant could be deported at any time that they became classified as undesirable 

It is startling to note that this act had very little debate.  The only discussion that it inspired was in relation to the governments failure to increase the population of the maritime provinces.  

I feel that the Immigration Act of 1910 fit perfectly with Coleman’s argument about the project of white civility. Like the project of white civility the Immigration Act of 1910 was an attempt to create country based on an image set forth by a close minded individual who felt that he knew what was best for an entire nation.  The Canada that I know now is such an open and welcoming country that it surprised me that we have had such a judgemental past filled with racism and bias. I hope that this country keeps striving for equality and never forgets the horrors of our past.  

Works Cited

Canada. Government of Canada. Publications and Manuals. Forging Our Legacy: Canadian     Citizenship and Immigration 1900-1977. Online.  2006.07.01.

“Immigration Act, 1910″. Canadian Museum of Immigration at Pier 21. Canada. Government of Canada. 1910. Web. 26 Feb. 2015.