K. Dock Yip and Repealing the Chinese Exclusion Act, 2023. Illustration by Rosena Fung
File information | File dimensions | File size | Options |
Original JPG File | 2000 × 1100 pixels (2.2 MP) 16.9 cm × 9.3 cm @ 300 PPI |
1.2 MB | Restricted |
Screen | 1400 × 770 pixels (1.08 MP) 11.9 cm × 6.5 cm @ 300 PPI |
308 KB | Restricted |
Resource ID
10284
Access
Open
Date of Creation
June 2023
Keywords
Chinese Exclusion Act, K. Dock Yip, Chinese Canadian
Program Category
Education and Engagement
Rights
Heritage Toronto and Rosena Fung (artist)
Caption
K. Dock Yip and Repealing the Chinese Exclusion Act, 2023. Illustration by Rosena Fung
Description
Canada’s first Chinese Canadian lawyer K. Dock Yip helped bring down the Chinese Exclusion Act. Hostility against Chinese Canadians had lessened during the Second World War while China and Canada were allies. With help from fellow lawyer Irving Himel and community leaders across Canada, the discriminative law was removed in 1947. However, the exclusion didn’t end here. Entrance for Chinese immigrants was limited to only spouses and children (under the age of 18) of Canadian citizens, which only applied to 8 percent of the Chinese population in Canada. It wasn't until 1967 that all restrictions were removed and families were able to reunite after nearly 50 years. For that reason, the Chinese community in Toronto remained small during the early 20th century and there was a limited market for Chinese products.