🏛️ Chapter 3: Canada's History

What happened to Canadians of Japanese origin during the Second World War?

Correct answer: They were forcibly relocated and their property was sold without compensation

✓ They were forcibly relocated and their property was sold without compensation
B They were confined to 24 labour camps across the country
C They were barred from all farm work in British Columbia
D They were deported to Japan after the surrender

💡 Explanation

Ottawa moved them by force and sold what they owned, even though the military and the RCMP said they were no threat; an apology and compensation came in 1988.

Key facts to remember

  • Japan invaded the Aleutian Islands and attacked a Vancouver Island lighthouse
  • Fire balloons were sent over the Prairies and B.C.
  • Canadian POWs taken at Hong Kong were grossly maltreated
  • Japan surrendered on 14 August 1945, ending four years of Pacific war
  • The federal government forced Canadians of Japanese origin out of their homes
  • Their property was sold and nothing was paid back for it
  • The RCMP and the military had said they posed hardly any danger
  • In 1988 Canada apologized and paid the victims compensation

Why this is the answer

From the official Discover Canada study guide — 3.5.7 The Pacific War and Japanese Canadians:

Canada was at war with Japan in the Pacific as well. Japanese forces invaded the Aleutian Islands. A lighthouse on Vancouver Island came under attack, and fire balloons were sent drifting over the Prairies and over B.C. Canadian prisoners of war who had been taken at Hong Kong were grossly maltreated. The surrender came on August 14, 1945. That brought the Pacific war to a close after four years of fighting.
War, together with the mood of the public in B.C., pushed the federal government into a shameful act. It forced Canadians of Japanese origin out of their homes and moved them elsewhere. Their property was then sold, and they got nothing back for it. Ottawa had already been told by the RCMP and by the military that such people posed hardly any danger to Canada. The move went ahead anyway. In 1988 the Government of Canada apologized for these wartime wrongs and paid the victims compensation.

📖 Study this topic

This question is from: 3.5.7 The Pacific War and Japanese Canadians

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