The Chinese Immigration Act 1923, known in the Chinese-Canadian community as the Chinese Exclusion Act was an act passed by the Federal Government of Canada, banning most forms of Chinese immigration to Canada. This was an example of institutional racism.

After various members of the Federal and some Provincial (especially British Columbia) governments put pressure on the Federal government to discourage Chinese immigration, the Chinese Immigration Act was passed. It officially went into effect on July 1, 1923. The act banned Chinese immigrants from entering Canada except those under the following titles:

• Merchant
• Diplomat
• Foreign Student
• "Special circumstance" (This is the class that Governor General Adrienne Clarkson's family fall under)

It should be noted that this act did not only apply to Chinese from China - ethnic Chinese with British nationality were banned from entering Canada as well.

Since Dominion Day coincided with the enforcement of the Chinese Immigration Act, Chinese-Canadians at the time referred to Canada's birthday as "Humiliation Day" and refused to take any part in the celebration.

Due to both a feeling of horror after Nazi race-oriented deathcamps were discovered and the contribution of Chinese communities in Canada during World War II, the Canadian Government repealed the act on May 14, 1947. However, independent Chinese immigration to Canada only came after the liberalization of Canadian immigration policy in 1967.

See also

• Chinese Canadian

• Overseas Chinese

• Anti-Chinese Legislations in Canada before 1947

• History of Chinese Immigration to Canada