Japanese Life in Canada during WWII

By cameronlamour

  • 1907

    With larger numbers of Japanese immigrants arriving between 1905 and 1907, an atmosphere of hate and discrimination culminated in the 1907 Riot in Vancouver against Asians.

  • 1941 (December 8)

    1,200 Japanese Canadian fishing boats are impounded. Japanese language newspapers and schools close.

  • 1942 (January 16)

    Removal begins of Japanese immigrant males from coastal areas.

  • 1942 (February 24)

    All male Japanese Canadian citizens between the ages of 18 and 45 ordered to be removed from 100-mile-wide zone along the coast of British Columbia.

  • 1942 (February 26)

    Mass evacuation of Japanese Canadians begins. Some given only 24 hours notice. Cars, cameras and radios confiscated for “protective measures”. Curfew imposed.

  • 1942 (March 4)

    Japanese Canadians ordered to turn over property and belongings to Custodian of Enemy Alien Property as a “protective measure only”. Eventually these assets were sold and proceeds used to pay for the interment

  • 1942 (March 25)

    British Columbia Security Commission initiates scheme of forcing men to road camps and women and children to “ghost town” detention camps.

  • 1943 (January 19)

    Properties left behind were to be held in trust but Order-in-Council 469 passed on January 19, 1943 authorized the government to sell the properties without the owners’ consent.

  • 1945 (March 12)

    A loyalty survey carried out by the RCMP on March 12, 1945 guaranteed the expulsion of all Japanese Canadians from the province of BC.