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Early History - Racism
The success of Japanese Canadians in many industries created fear amongst the white population and politicians of British Columbia. Despite the government's legislation that reduced the number of fishing licenses Japanese could hold, they were still successful. Racist comments show the attitude of politicians at the time:
"Let our slogan be for the British Columbia:
'No Japs from the Rockies to the seas' "
Ian Alistair Mackenzie, MP from his nomination speech,
September 18,1944
"They cannot be assimilated for no matter how
long the Japanese remain in Canada they will always be Japanese"
Thomas Reid, Liberal Member of Parliament for New Westminster,
January 15, 1942
With the bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, the entire social and economic fabric of the Japanese Canadian community is dismantled by the actions of the Canadian government.
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