Chinese Immigration Act

The Chinese Immigration Act ,1923, known in the Chinese Canadian community as the Chinese Exclusion Act, was an act passed by the Parliament of Canada, banning most forms of Chinese immigration to Canada. Immigration from most countries was controlled or restricted in some way, but only Chinese were completely prohibited from immigrating.

Prior to 1923, Chinese immigration was already heavily controlled by the Chinese Immigration Act of 1885, which imposed a hefty head tax on all immigrants from China. After various members of the federal and some provincial governments (especially British Columbia) put pressure on the federal to discourage Chinese immigration, the Chinese Immigration Act was passed. It went into effect on July 1, 1923, which was same day with Canada Day, so Chinese Canadians at that time referred to the anniversary of Confederation as  "Humiliation Day" and refused to take any part in the celebration.

Due to a recognition of the contribution of Chinese Canadians to Canada during World War II, the Canadian Parliament repealed the act on May 14, 1947.

On June 22, 2006, Prime Minister Stephen Harper apologized in the House of Commons. The first phrase of the apology was spoken in Chinese, and he announced that the survivors or their spouses will be paid approximately $20,000 in compensation for the head tax.