Asian-Canadian soldiers stayed loyal to Canada despite racial discrimination.
Video by Seal Foster
Multimedia by Ryan O’Connor
Story by Kayah Marryshow
During the First and Second World War Asian-Canadians fought for their country despite being subjected to adversity and discrimination.
Ryerson Prof. Adrian Ma, held a virtual lecture on Nov. 9, to discuss the experiences this group had during the wars.
Prof. Adrian Ma said in the lecture, “With Asian-Canadian in particular, their contributions and their desire to demonstrate loyalty to Canada really helped pave the way to wider cultural acceptance and understanding.”
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History of Asian-Canadian immigration
Many Chinese and Japanese people had immigrated to British Columbia where they worked on gold mines, the Canadian Pacific Railway, and other labour jobs.
After the railway was built the federal government passed the Chinese Exclusion Act. Asian-Canadian immigrants had to pay a head tax to stay in the country for 38 years.
They did not receive the same rights as other Canadian citizens. It wasn’t until after the Second World War when they were granted the right to vote.
Timeline: Asian-Canadian contributions during the war
Text continues after multimedia.
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In the First World War, Asian-Canadian were refused from serving in the war in British Columbia. This led to hundreds of them travelling to different provinces to enlist in the army.
Over 800 Chinese and Japanese men were enlisted in World War I and World. War II.
In an interview with Veterans Affairs Canada, World War II veteran, Frank Wong said, “To prove to the government my loyalty to my country. That is probably the main reason I came down to join the army.”
The sacrifices that Asian-Canadian made in the war led to policies being changed that benefit the lives of Chinese and Japanese immigrants today. Allowing them to have the same rights and freedoms of all Canadian citizens.
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