“STANDI NG BY OUR PRINCIPLES”: TH E T R AD ES A ND LA B O R CO N G R E SS OF CA N A DA A N D IMMIGRATION, 1933 – 1939

Abstract

This paper explores theapproach of Canada’slargestlabourcentral,theTradesand Labor Congress (TLC),to immigration from1933to 1939. This was a unique periodin Canada’s immigration history,asin1930the government responded to the onset oftheGreat Depression by closing the gatesto almost allimmigrationfor the first time sinceConfederation,andby1933 therewasno doubtthat the gates wouldremainclosedforsometime.Despite thisdramatic change,Canadianlabourleadersstood bytheirlongstanding views on immigration through to the end ofthe1930s. Althoughthe levelof concernaboutimmigration predictably declined, TLC leaders generallygainedconfidencethat theirestablishedviews had widespreadsupport.This confidenceencouragedunionists to poseas protectors ofimmigrantsagainsthardshipin Canada. Italsoassuredthem thatthey did nothavetodevoteasmuchenergyasinearlierperiodstoagitatingfor thedeportationofsomeimmigrants, ortotheir longtime favouritecause,restrictingimmigrationfromAsiaandsouthern andeasternEurope.Altogether, changes in