Chinese Workers Build the CP Railroad
In 1880-1885 thousands of Chinese people were brought into Canada as labourers to complete the Canadian Pacific Railroad. Once the track was completed, many Chinese people were forced to look for work elsewhere. They were met with opposition and racism. The government introduced the “Chinese Head Tax” as a way of curbing the rate of immigration by charging money for all people coming into the country from China. Many Chinese people were thrust into concentrated areas and were barred from many of the freedoms given to white Canadians.
