History & Pioneers

Milestones in Chinese Canadian History

The following are some of the key dates and events that have defined the history of Chinese-Canadian families and affected the paths of individual families.

1788

The first Chinese to arrive on the West Coast of Canada were fifty artisans, who accompanied Captain John Meares to help establish trading post for the collection of sea-otter pelts. The fate of these early Chinese immigrants is unknown.

1858

The discovery of gold on the Fraser River attracted Chinese immigrants by way of California.

1861

On March 17, Won Alexander Cumyow was born at Port Douglas. He was the first baby of Chinese origin born in Canada.

1880s

Large-scale immigration, directly from China, began as large numbers of labourers were recruited to build the Western section of the Canadian Pacific Railway.

1885

Following completion of the Canadian Pacific Railway, the federal government introduced a "head tax", to be paid by every Chinese immigrant. Initially $50, it rose to $100 in 1900 and $500 in 1903.

1906

Newfoundland, still a separate colony of Britain, enacted a Chinese Immigration Act imposing a head tax of $300 on Chinese immigrants.

1923

The Chinese Immigration Act was passed by the federal government. This comprehensive piece of legislation was designed to exclude Chinese people from entering the country and regulate those already living there.

1947

The Chinese Immigration Act was repealed.

1949

Newfoundland joined the Confederation, bringing an end to its separate head tax on Chinese immigrants.

Photo banner: Detail from VPL Historical Photograph 1746