Skip to main content

Advertisement

SpringerLink
Log in

Healthy Enough to Get In: The Evolution of Canadian Immigration Policy Related to Immigrant Health

  • Published:
Journal of International Migration and Integration Aims and scope Submit manuscript

Abstract

The health of immigrants and visitors to Canada has always been a preoccupation of policy makers. From the earliest days of migration to Canada, immigrants were considered potential carriers of contagion and steps were taken to protect Canada, mainly through quarantine. Since the 1920s, the line of defence has been moved abroad, benefiting both Canada and the intending immigrant who no longer travels to Canada in fear of being medically rejected. Medical prohibitions were often arbitrary in the past, but since 1978, they have been based on solid principles and the implementation of these principles continues to evolve.

This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.

Access this article

Log in via an institution

Price excludes VAT (USA)
Tax calculation will be finalised during checkout.

Instant access to the full article PDF.

Institutional subscriptions

Similar content being viewed by others

Notes

  1. The term “emigrant” used in Canada until the 1860s after which “immigrant” became common usage.

  2. The cost of detention to the steamship companies was 75 cents per person per day in 1906.

  3. Notwithstanding these eugenic views that Dr. Clarke espoused (but later abandoned), he is regarded as the founder of modern psychiatry in Canada and the CNCMH evolved into the Canadian Mental Health Association.

  4. The Immigration Health program has moved back and forth from the Immigration department to the Health Department several times. Today, it is administered by the Health Branch of Citizenship and Immigration Canada.

  5. International Tuberculosis Incidence Rates are available at the Public Health Agency of Canada website at: http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca/tbpc-latb/itir-eng.php. The Designated Country/Territory List is available at the CIC website at: http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/medical/dcl.asp (Both websites retrieved December 28, 2012).

References

  • Auditor General of Canada. (2011). Report of the Auditor General-Fall 2011. Ottawa: Auditor General.

  • Bilson, G. (1980). A darkened house: cholera in nineteenth century Canada. Toronto: University of Toronto Press.

    Google Scholar 

  • Canada. (1868). Order-in-Council (OiC), PC1868-0981, December 18, 1868.

  • Canada. (1885). An Act to restrict and regulate Chinese immigration into Canada. 48–49 Victoria, Cap. 71.

  • Canada. (1900). An Act respecting and restricting Chinese immigration. 63–64 Victoria, Cap 32.

  • Canada. (1902a). OiC, PC 1902–0733.

  • Canada. (1902b). OiC, PC1902–1293.

  • Canada. (1906a). Immigration Act, 6 Edward VII, Cap 19. Ottawa: S. E. Dawson.

  • Canada. (1906b). Chinese Immigration Act (1903). Revised Statures of Canada, Ch.95.

  • Canada. (1907a). House of Commons, Journals, Session 1906, Appendix, Part 1. Testimony of W.D. Scott, Superintendent of Immigration before the Agriculture and Colonization Committee of the House of Commons, April 4, 1906. Ottawa: King’s Printer.

  • Canada. (1907b). House of Commons, Journals, Session 1906, Appendix, Part 1. Testimony of Dr. P. H. Bryce, Medical Superintendent of Immigration before the Agriculture and Colonization Committee of the House of Commons, April 25, 1906. Ottawa: King’s Printer.

  • Canada. (1910). The Immigration Act. 9–10 Edward VII, Cap. 27.

  • Canada. (1919). An Act to amend the Immigration Act. 9–10 George V, Cap. 25.

  • Canada. (1923). The Chinese Immigration Act, 1923. 13–14 George V, Cap. 38.

  • Canada. (1928). House of Commons, Standing Select Committee on Agriculture and Colonization. Minutes of Proceedings and Evidence and Report- In respect to the consideration of the subject of Immigration, the Immigration Act and Regulations and the work of the Department of Immigration and Colonization. Ottawa: King’s Printer.

  • Canada. (1947). An Act to amend the Immigration Act and to repeal the Chinese Immigration Act, 11 George VI, Cap. 19.

  • Canada. (1952). Immigration Act. Revised Statutes of Canada, 1952, Chapter 325.

  • Canada. (1953). Immigration Regulations. OiC PC 1953–0859, May 26, 1953.

  • Canada. (1962). Immigration Regulations. OiC, P.C. 1962–0082, January 18, 1962.

  • Canada. (1975). Special Joint Committee of the Senate and of the House of Commons on Immigration Policy. Report to Parliament. Ottawa: Queen’s Printer.

  • Canada. (1976). Immigration Act, 1976. 1976–77, c.52.

  • Canada. (1978). Immigration Regulations, 1978. P.C. 1978–0486.

  • Canada. (2001). Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. Statutes of Canada, 2001, c.27. The Act can be found on the Department of Justice web site at: http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/acts/I-2.5/page-1.html (retrieved, December 28, 2012).

  • Canada (2002). Immigration and Refugee Protection Regulations. SOR/2002-227). The Regulations can be found on the Department of Justice web site at: http://laws-lois.justice.gc.ca/eng/regulations/SOR-2002-227/index.html (retrieved, December 28, 2012).

  • Charbonneau, André. (1995). Grosse Île and the Irish National Historic Site of Canada – History-1847: A tragic year at Grosse Île, Parks Canada. Retrieved December 16, 2012 from, http://www.pc.gc.ca/lhn-nhs/qc/grosseile/natcul/natcul1/b.aspx.

  • Charlton, L. (2011). Managing migrants: Toronto, 1820–1880. The Canadian Historical Review, 92(2), 231–262.

    Google Scholar 

  • Citizenship and Immigration Canada. (2012a, December 14). Health Care – Refugees. Retrieved December 28, 2012 from, http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/refugees/outside/arriving-healthcare.asp.

  • Citizenship and Immigration Canada. (2012b, December 19). Medical examination requirements for temporary residents. Retrieved December 28, 2012, from http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/information/medical/medexams-temp.asp#determine.

  • Citizenship and Immigration Canada (2009, February 1). Designated medical practitioner handbook. Retrieved December 28, 2012 from, http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/publications/dmp-handbook/index.asp.

  • Citizenship and Immigration Canada (2011, December 30). Operational Bulletin 373 –Excessive Demand Cost Threshold for 2012. Retrieved December 28, 2012 from, http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/manuals/bulletins/2011/ob373.asp.

  • Craig, G. E. (Ed.). (1963). Lord Durham’s Report: an abridgement of the report on the affairs of British North America. Toronto: McClelland and Stewart.

    Google Scholar 

  • Department of Citizenship and Immigration (1958). Developments in Canadian Immigration. In Dominion Bureau of Statistics, Canada Year Book, 1957–58 (pp 154–176). Ottawa: Queen’s Printer.

  • Department of the Interior (1913). Immigration Facts and Figures. Ottawa: Department of the Interior.

  • Encyclopaedia Britannica. (1911). 11th ed., s.v. ‘Quarantine.’ London: Cambridge University.

  • Goderich Lord. (1832). (Robinson, Frederick John, 1st Earl Ripon). Circular Dispatch to Governors of Lower Canada, Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, December 11, 1831, in North America:- Emigration. Return to an Address to His Majesty, dated 1 August 1832, for, Copy of any acts passed by the Colonies in British North America, and which have received His Majesty's Sanction, by which a Tax is to be levied on Emigrants arriving from the United Kingdom:- also, copy of circular from the Colonial Office, recommending the same. London: House of Commons. Retrieved December 28, 2012, from Early Canadiana Online: http://canadiana.org/ECO/ItemRecord/9_01016?id=65526e55356767ce.

  • Goutor, D. (2007). Guarding the gates—the Canadian labour movement and immigration, 1872–1934. Vancouver: UBC Press.

  • Gushulak, B. D., & Williams, L. S. (2004). National immigration health policy – existing policy, changing needs, and future directions. Canadian Journal of Public Health, 95(3), 27–29.

    Google Scholar 

  • Heagerty, J. J. (1940). The romance of medicine in Canada. Toronto: Ryerson.

    Google Scholar 

  • Library and Archives Canada. (1897). RG72, Vol. 150, File 35883. Memorandum, dated January 20, 1897, from John R, Hall, Secretary, Department of the Interior to E.F.E. Roy, Secretary, Department of Public Works.

  • Library and Archives Canada. (1923). RG76, Vol 19, File 179–10. Memorandum, dated November 23, 1923, from Thomas Gelley, Commissioner of Immigration, Winnipeg, to W.J. Egan, Deputy Minister, Immigration and Colonization.

  • Library and Archives Canada. (1975). Cabinet Conclusions, The Medical Examination of Non-Immigrants. RG2, Privy Council Office, Series A-5-a, Vol. 6457, July 17, 1975. Retrieved December 28, 2012, from http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/databases/conclusions/001039-100.01-e.php.

  • Lower Canada. (1795). An Act to oblige ships and vessels coming from places infected with the plague or any pestilential fever or disease, to perform Quarantine, and prevent the communication thereof in this Province, 35 Geo III, Cap. V, 1795, in Provincial Statutes of Lower Canada. Québec: William Vondenvelden.

  • Lower Canada. (1823). An Act to appropriate a certain Sum of Money therein-mentioned, for the Relief of Indigent Sick Emigrants from the United Kingdom, 1823, in Provincial Statutes of Lower Canada, 3 George IV, Cap. VII. Québec: P. E. Desbarats.

  • Lower Canada. (1832a). An Act to Create a Fund for defraying the expense of providing Medical assistance for sick Emigrants, and of enabling Indigent Persons of that description to proceed to the place of their destination, 2 William IV, Cap. XVII, 1832. Provincial Statutes of Lower Canada. Québec: J.C. Fisher & W. Kemble.

  • Lower Canada. (1832b). An Act to establish Boards of Health within the Province, and to enforce an effectual system of Quarantine, 2 William IV, Cap. XVI, February 25th, 1832. Provincial Statutes of Lower Canada. Québec: J.C. Fisher & W. Kemble.

  • Manitoba Free Press. (1907). How settlers are treated in Winnipeg. August 31, 1907.

  • Minister of Agriculture. (1893). Report for the Calendar Year 1892. Ottawa: Queen’s Printer.

  • New Brunswick. (1838a). An Act, to regulate Vessels arriving from the United Kingdom with Passengers and Emigrants, 2 William IV, Cap. XXXVI, 1832. The Acts of the General Assembly of Her Majesty’s Province of Brunswick, from the Twenty Sixth Year of the Reign of King George the Third to the Sixth Year of the Reign of King William the Fourth. Fredericton: Queen’s Printer.

  • New Brunswick. (1838b). An Act to prevent the importation and spreading of infectious Distempers in the City of Saint John, 3 William IV, Cap XXI, March 19th, 1833. The Acts of the General Assembly of Her Majesty’s Province of Brunswick, from the Twenty Sixth Year of the Reign of King George the Third to the Sixth Year of the Reign of King William the Fourth. Fredericton: Queen’s Printer.

  • Nova Scotia. (1805). 1 Geo III, Cap. 6, 1761 in The statutes at large passed in the several general assemblies held in His Majesty's province of Nova-Scotia from the first assembly which met at Halifax the second day of October, in the thirty-second year of His late Majesty Geo. II. A.D. 1758, to the forty-fourth year of His present Majesty Geo. III. A.D. 1804, inclusive; with a complete index and abridgement of the whole. Halifax: King’s Printer.

  • Nova Scotia. (1835a). An Act relating to Passengers from Great-Britain and Ireland, arriving in this Province, 2 William IV, Cap. XVIII,1832, in Statutes of the Province of Nova Scotia, Vol. 4. Halifax: King’s Printer.

  • Nova Scotia. (1835b). An Act to prevent the spreading of Contagious Diseases, and for the performance of Quarantine, 2 William IV, Cap. XIII, April 14th,1832. Statutes of the Province of Nova Scotia, Vol. 4. Halifax: King’s Printer.

  • Parks Canada. (2009) Grosse Île and the Irish memorial national historic site of Canada – History – Statistics and more statistics, National Historic Site of Canada. Retrieved December 16, 2012 from: http://www.pc.gc.ca/lhn-nhs/qc/grosseile/natcul/natcul1/c.aspx.

  • Province of Canada (1848). An Act to make better provision with respect to Emigrants, and for defraying the expenses of supporting Indigent Emigrants, and of forwarding them to their place of destination, and to amend the Act therein mentioned, 1848, 11 Victoria, Cap. I. In Provincial Statutes of Canada. Montreal: S. Derbishire and G. Desbarats.

  • Province of Canada (1849). An Act to repeal certain Acts therein mentioned, and to make further provision respecting Emigrants, 1849, 12 Victoria, Cap. VI, In Provincial Statutes of Canada. Montreal: S. Derbishire and G. Desbarats.

  • Province of Canada (1852). An Act to amend and consolidate the Laws relative to Emigrants and Quarantine, 16 Victoria, Cap. 86. In Statutes of the Province of Canada. Quebec: S. Derbishire and G. Desbarats.

  • Province of Canada (1858). An Act to amend law relating to Emigrants, in Statutes of the Province of Canada, 22 Victoria, Cap. 3. Toronto: S. Derbishire and G. Desbarats.

  • Sevigny, André. (1995). Grosse Île and the Irish memorial national historic site of Canada – History- The evolution of the historic role of Grosse Île. Parks Canada Retrieved December 16, 2012 from, http://www.pc.gc.ca/lhn-nhs/qc/grosseile/natcul/natcul1/a.aspx.

  • Smith, W. G. (1920). A study in Canadian immigration. Toronto: Ryerson.

    Google Scholar 

  • Toronto Globe. (1906). Promote British Immigration. September 24, 1906.

  • United Kingdom. (1803a). Committee on the Survey of the Coasts, &c. of Scotland, First Report: Emigration (London: House of Commons. 4, 5.

  • United Kingdom. (1803b). Passenger Act, 43 Geo III, Cap.56.

  • United Kingdom. (1828). Passenger Act, 9 Geo IV, Cap. XXI.

  • Upper Canada. (1843). AN ACT granting a sum of money for the relief of sick and destitute Emigrants at Prescott, 2 William IV, Cap XXXIV 1832. The Statutes of Upper Canada, to the time of the Union, Vol. I – Public Acts. Toronto: R. Stanton.

Download references

Acknowledgements

I would like to thank Dr. Brian Gushulak, MD, Migration Health Consultants, and Dr. Linda Ogilvie, RN, PhD, University of Alberta, for their advice during the preparation of this paper.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Canada West Foundation, 900–105 12th Avenue SE, Calgary, AB, T2G 1A1, Canada

    Robert Vineberg

Authors
  1. Robert Vineberg
    View author publications

    You can also search for this author in PubMed Google Scholar

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Robert Vineberg.

Rights and permissions

Reprints and permissions

About this article

Cite this article

Vineberg, R. Healthy Enough to Get In: The Evolution of Canadian Immigration Policy Related to Immigrant Health. Int. Migration & Integration 16, 279–297 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12134-014-0339-3

Download citation

  • Published:

  • Issue Date:

  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12134-014-0339-3

Keywords

Search

Navigation