Immigration in Canada

Running Head: IMMIGRATION IN CANADA
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Student Name
Institution Name
Immigration in Canada

IMMIGRATION IN CANADA
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Immigration in Canada
QUESTION 1
A typical blanket-stiff was usually an unskilled male who had migrated from a foreign
nation to seek employment in Canada. These men often moved from one place to the other
carrying their belongings in a blanket on their back. This is the main reason why they were called
the blanket-stiffs. Their work was to provide labor to labor-intensive companies in Canada.
QUESTION 2
Nationality Time period during which they
were main low-status workers
and reasons recruited
Factors that prevented
continuation of their
recruitment
Chinese 19th century
Recruited to build railway and
other low occupation
Immigration policies
Irish 19th century
Recruited to build railway and
other low occupation
Political instability
British/Welsh 1897
They began the construction of
CPR’s line
They were violent and vociferous
and they expected high wage
which was impossible.
Eastern
European (Slavs,
Russian, Austro-
Hungarian, etc.)
1907
They were recruited to build the
under way railway and were
considered obedient and
industrious.
They were considered unreliable
and agents feared that they might
leave during harvest season.
Italian (also
called
Mediterranean)
1901
They were reliable and mobile
therefore they could not integrate
in the Anglo-Canadian society
and unions.
Unskilled labor forces who were
not assimilated were available in
large numbers.

IMMIGRATION IN CANADA
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QUESTION 3
Unskilled laborers were recruited from the immigrants who were not assimilated because
the executive in railway constructions and contractors considered them obedient and industrious.
Therefore, they could do heavy work at a cheaper grade. Another reason why employers
preferred unassimilated immigrants was because they were considered superior to the
Mediterranean people.
QUESTION 4
Once in Canada, they were distributed by the infamous group in commercial network.
The network was responsible of linking home villages to the Canadian employment agencies.
QUESTION 5
The workers were mostly cheated and defrauded. This was done through the “sharks” that
claimed to “sell” employment to the immigrants. Immigrants would be given a contract but upon
reaching, they would be given different tasks. Another way in which immigrants were cheated
was not getting a refund if they were sent out. The foremen and agency also discharged the
immigrants in order to pay member of their gang who had given them commission before getting
the job.
QUESTION 6
Corruption was common among ‘paradones’ but the government did not take action
against them. This is because they were responsible of disciplining the workers they brought to
work in Canada. The ‘paradones’ also, provided food, organized for steamship tickets and
assured people of getting jobs (McCormack, 1985, p. 104).