Essay On Intolerance

How Intolerance has Been an Issue in Canada Since 1914

Intolerance: unwillingness to accept views, beliefs, behavior, or other physical differences from one’s self. Intolerance is an issue that has grown throughout history and effects every part of the world. Canada specifically has had a dark past when it comes to intolerance. Sydney J. Harris, a famous American journalist once said “Intolerance is the most socially acceptable form of egotism, for it permits us to assume superiority without personal boasting.” This is a very accurate description of intolerance in Canada because of the horrible conditions non-Canadians had to undergo. Canada has been intolerant to both immigrants and Aboriginals since 1914 and it continues to be an issue

today.

Immigration is often because of a dissatisfaction in one's life or lack of work, since 1914 Canadians have shown a fierce intolerance towards immigration. In 1922 an agreement was arranged between the Japanese and Canadian government which stated that only 150 labourers and servants could enter Canada per year. This was problematic because in previous years 90,000 immigrants were permitted to come to Canada and then suddenly they had to reject 89,850 people from entering Canada. Limitations on immigration entries continued and in 1931 immigration completely stopped in Canada. This caused many issues including the Komagata Maru and St. louis incident. The Komagata Maru was a ship filled with 379 siks. This ship was traveling from Hong Kong therefore they had made multiple stops to get gas and food. This however was against the new Canadian immigration policies stating they could only enter if coming directly to Canada. Once they arrived the government denied their entry and they remained docked, with no food or water refills for two months until they were forced to leave Canadian territory. However this wasn’t the incident involving immigration ships. The St Louis incident took place during natzi Germany when a ship containing 932 Jewish passengers attempted to escape Hitler's army. This ship was turned away when seeking Canadian help. A high-level member of the Canadian government, Fredrick Blair replied with “None is too many” when asked to allow the Jews to enter the country. This risked 932 lives all because of religious differences. Being unable to change your fate or protect your life because you were not born in Canada is unfair and a prime example of intolerance.

Canadians not only showed intolerance to other countries but to Canadian born Aboriginals as well.

Aboriginal people because of their skin colour were not considered people until 1929. Not being considered a person meant that you had no rights, could not vote and often had to carry an identity card and report to people whenever leaving a reserve. Aboriginals were also prohibited to be a part of the Canadian forces. Although it is not one of the best jobs it was unfair to deny aboriginal Canadians the option to pursue a military career and fight for their country if they so please. Not only did we deprive aboriginals of basic rights and privileges but we also attempted to force them into our customs with residential schools. Residential schools separated all aboriginals from white people and attempted to stripe them of their culter. Upon arrival aboriginals would be banned to talk their aboriginal language and would have to deal with poor conditions such as being forced to eat rotten food, over crowded areas and often sexual abuse. 17,000 students were enrolled in residential schools across Canada with an average death rate of 42% of students. If we were able to treat our own people with such cruelty and disgrace how are we expected to treat others

justly.

Since 1914 Canada has claimed to have made many improvements on becoming more tolerant with people of other races, religions and skin colours. However intolerance remains a problem but has become less public. Fewer than 40,000 aboriginals live in the city of toronto making up only one percent of its total population. Most aboriginals are pushed into reserves, isolating them from the rest of the communities surrounding them. Not only are aboriginals being isolated but they are being isolated without proper health care. The health care on aboriginal reserves is comparable to the health care of El Salvador. Since the health care on reserves is so bad many aboriginals go into the larger cities to seek medical help however they are often treated unfairly and dismissed quickly. Michelle Labrecque a Oneida member living in Victoria had multiple bad experiences including being left alone in a hospital room with a fractured pelvis without assistance and being dismissed by doctors who accused her medical problems being related to alcoholism. Many aboriginals are beginning to avoid the health care system as a whole because of the constant disregard for aboriginal people. However today’s intolerance is not just limited to Aboriginals but Immigrants as well. Canada allows 250000 immigrants per year although once they arrive they are not treated as equals. There are many exceptions put in place but the government that Canadians do not have such as certain language skills are required and many occupations will not accept immigrants. Once a person is approved to settle in Canada they should be treated the same as other Canadians. Intolerance is Canada is a continual problem that must be resolved.
Canada is a nation that prides themselves on diversity however is unwilling to treat those who are different as equals. Intolerance towards aboriginals and immigrants has been a problem since 1914 and continues to be a problem today. As white Canadians we are very privileged and it’s time to include others in the enrichment that is being an treated as equals.