Canada’s Door Opened to Selected Immigrants

A statement of the immigration policy has been issued by Hon. J.A. Robb, Minister of the department. “With the certainty of a bountiful harvest, which in Western Canada exceeds that of any previous year, and the prospects of better times returning, not only for farming, but also for other industries,” says the statement, “plans are being laid for next season in the expectation that immigration in Canada will show a marked increase.

While there are some would-be immigrants into Canada which are not suited for the Dominion owing to physical, moral or industrial unfitness, says the statement, or because they belong to races that cannot be assimilated without social or economic loss to Canada, there are at the same time in Great Britain and Continental Europe tens of thousands of skilled and unskilled workers (not agriculturists) who would be an asset to Canada if steady employment could be found for them.

An adequate immigration policy, it is pointed out, must recognize that while Canada requires increased population, quality rather than quantity must count; that British immigration must hold first place in the program; and that the selection of Canada’s new settlers must have due regard to physical, industrial and financial fitness and the Dominion’s power of absorption.

The greatest need is for those able and willing to settle on the land and assist in agricultural development. While capital is essential to immediate land settlements, its absence will not close the road to prosperity to those strong of hand and stout of heart, determined to succeed.

“The open door policy will prevail for those classes likely to succeed and for whom there is demand,” the statement continues. “In the interest of the immigrant and of Canada, determination of fitness will, as far as possible, take place before the immigrant leaves his own country. …. As the British Isles alone cannot furnish a sufficient quota of the agricultural classes, efforts will be made to encourage immigration from certain areas of the continent of Europe and ### the United States.”