WWII Experience - Confiscation and Curfew

Immediately after Pearl Harbor, fishing boats were impounded and Japanese language newspapers were closed down. The all-English paper, the New Canadian, was allowed to continue. With the passage of the order to remove all Japanese from the restricted area within the 100 miles of the BC coast, a dusk-to-dawn curfew was imposed on all Japanese Canadians. The RCMP had the authority to enter homes at will without a warrant. Personal belongings such as cameras, and radios were confiscated and vehicles impounded.

Japanese owned fishing boats were seized.(photo: Public Archives of Canada)
The Royal Canadian Navy takes over. (photo: Public Archives of Canada)
A fisherman ponders his future. (photo: Public Archives of Canada)
Fishing boats impounded at Annieville Dyke on the Fraser River 1941. In all about 1200 boats were seized and sold by order in council during January and February 1942. (photo; Vancouver Public Library)
Line-up of Japanese owned cars and trucks about to be confiscated in Vancouver. These vehicles were sold at auctions without notifying the owners. (photo: Vancouver Public Library)

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