The Importance of Immigration to the Canadian Economy in the Early 20th Century

Around the mid-19th to early 20th centuries, British Columbia was in a period of economic explosion. Those who were willing to work hard could find many opportunities. At this time, gold was found in British Columbia and Canada became dependent on workers to finish making the transcontinental railway. Many lumbering, coal mining and fishing business were not experiencing enough growth to match the needs of the society. This portrayed Canada as a place of opportunity and settlement for Asians whose homelands were becoming overcrowded. Sadly, the early pioneer years were extremely difficult for Asian immigrants due to the extensive racism and barriers keeping them from full participation of the Canadian

In 1919, World War I had finally come to an end, leaving most of the world in a post war depression. However, in countries like Canada, the decade ahead would be filled with amazing growth and change in many ways. The 1920s were an exciting time in Canada because of the economic prosperity, technological, social and cultural revolutions and growing political responsibility and change in policy that country experienced. These economic, social and political changes really made the 1920s in Canada “roar”.

There was a time, post-World War II when Canada had changed quite a bit. Canada’s population went up rapidly because of the boom and the veterans. The economy developed and there were no economic hardship so students did not drop out of school. It was booming, new technology, thousands of immigrants and new houses especially in the suburbs. New inventions such as the television caused consumerism and cars were being sold rapidly. The television also affected Canada politically. Teenagers with their fashion and rock ‘n’ roll music such as Elvis Presley had a big influence on the society. The baby boom, new technology and the many veterans returning home had a huge impact on Canada socially and economically.

Their new arrival helped defend and build their country’s way of life ("The government of Canada," n.d.) Immigration has been a major influence on the development of their society and plays a huge role in their economy. Their economy job market is broken into three different categories which include service, natural resources and manufacturing.

When a population experiences a growth it means that there are going to be an increase in the amount of consumers and the amount of goods and services sold. Moreover, the economy experiences a positive growth. When an economy has positive growth it can provide the country with employment for its nations citizens and new industries. A positive economy also contributes to our Canadian Identity. Due to the railway, it was stated that “The immigration was increasing week by week….” (Landon, pg 24). It was also said that “Canada noted in its annual report for 1852 that there had been a large increase of the Negro population during the year” (Landon, pg24). Slight population growth is better than a precipitous decline. Therefore, the slight increase in population during the railway was a positive to the Canadian Identity. “30,000 when the Underground Railway was in operation” (FabbiShushan, Black Canadian History).If the population expands slightly, through births or immigration, there are more active workers to take
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Our historical overview also shows that Canada’s industrialization occurred later and was shaped by its colonial status; that immigration was a major factor in creating a workforce; and that resource industries played a cen- tral role.

Immigration within the 1920’s was essentially fickle, due to the fact that this was a period where laws and bills that placed restrictions on immigration had begun to arise. During the timeframe of 1920-1930, there were mainly two Immigration laws that were significant in affecting the flow of immigrants.

Canada has continuously served as a home to immigrants and refugees from decade to decade harbouring people from a variety of cultural and ethnic backgrounds. The first set of immigrants to settle in the country came from Britain, the United States and from other nationalities mostly including immigrants from Europe who were either desperate to escape from religious or political turmoil or were simply attracted to Canada’s economic promise. Soon after the Canadian confederation in 1867, immigrants from Irish and Chinese backgrounds who occupied most of the country were used as workers and the demand for labourers to

Initially, the United States received about sixty percent of the world 's immigrants from 1820 to 1930. Population expansion in developed areas of the world, improved methods of transportation, and America 's desire to populate available space were all factors for this occurrence. Through the nineteenth century, the United States was in the midst of agricultural, and industrial expansion. The aspiration for inexpensive, unskilled labor and the profits made from importing immigrants fueled the movement. Immigrants were largely responsible for the rapid development of the country and the economy, their high birth rates increased the U.S. population.

Immigration provides very constant growth in the labor force, which is helping the Canadian labor market. With the amount of immigrants coming into Canada, there is an increase of jobs being taken in the Canadian labor force. They make up to 70% of labor force and most likely will increase higher percent in the future. The immigrants who have provided their needs for the Canadian labor market for growth and its success

During the 1920’s the United States really became a country of immigrants, even though not everyone was on board. In this time we saw immigration numbers that would far exceed the decades that would come after it and only to be surpasses by the decade that came before in a 40 year span. Almost 4.3 million people came to the US in the 1920’s and they spanned from far and wide to come to the US. Numbers would dip in the coming decades and would not surpass the million mark for at least two decades. These numbers saw drops that would relate to immigrant life and US immigration tactics.

Before the globalization, Canada paid more attention on home market, and products only sold to national people. Consequently, the income was not higher than after globalization. Also, there is a fact about Canada’s economy twenty years ago, “the international presence of Canadian business was limited and tended to be focused in certain sectors such as Industrial and Natural Resources, and Financial Services.” (n.d.). Companies only dominated some sectors with a few buyers, which couldn’t get high profits. Canadian government wanted to change this problem because they country’s economy is basic, so they chose to open the door to interact with other countries. Moreover, Canada started to try some agreements, and they cooperated with America. At that time, immigrants actually brought lots of benefits to Canada’s economy because they not only bring population, but also lots of

Throughout the last three decades, increasing numbers of Asians have migrated to Canada from all over the Asian continent. Currently, 44% of the Vancouver area population is of Asian descent (Statistics Canada, 2001). Immigrants commonly occupy skilled job positions that the host nation is unable to fill with its own citizens, and thus they offer many advantages to their receiving country. In a nation with a declining birthrate, such as Canada, their contribution can play a major role on multiple levels. The immigrants themselves often enjoy a greater earning potential than they did in their native country, which can be advantageous for those who wish to send money back home to support their families.

This event set up those people to create an economic growth. The many young people during 1950’s created a consumer society as the parents were forced to buy more food for the little mouths. This meant more goods and society based on buying and not so much selling. The need for goods created more jobs too. Mass production of goods added to the new great economy of Canada. If the Baby Boom didn 't happen, our modern day economy wouldn’t be what it is today.

Since the 19th Century, America has become known as the nation of immigrants. During that time the United States experienced the biggest wave of immigration of any place or time in the history of the world. It was also during that same time that America felt the greatest growth in production and standard of living than any other point in history (Divine, 1957). For many, the link between these two exceptional points in history was no coincidence.