Throughout history there are many examples of social injustice such as the treatment of natives in the past, the hanging of Riel, or the Chinese Head Tax. Social injustice occurs when a person or group is treated with cruelty because of prejudgments, racisms, or unfounded opinions. One of the gravest forms of social injustice in Canada occurred during World War II. The Japanese Deportation is one incident that should have been prevented. In its onset, the deportation was referred to as a "military necessity." However, in recent years, the occurrence is more widely thought of as a social injustice. Perhaps Canada saw some of its darkest days during World War II, for not only was the country at war with Germany, but also with itself. Canadian citizens were turning away fellow citizens of Japanese origin because it was believed that people of Japanese descent posed a threat. The hardships the Japanese endured in the midst of the deportation and discrimination of their race were certainly harsh. The scars of such hurt will never fully heal. Regardless, Canada has done little to help the Japanese-Canadians forgive their treatment they received during World War II. The retribution given the Japanese-Canadians for the suffering they endured and the social injustice they received was not sufficient. .
Perhaps the most obvious reason that the Japanese would be deported was because many Canadians felt they posed a threat. After the bombing of Pearl Harbor by Japanese fighter planes, many people held pent-up hostility toward the people of Japanese origin. .
They thought that perhaps Japanese Canadians living in Canada were actually spies who would later be the demise of the region. Therefore, they felt it necessary to have the people of that race sent away into internment camps. Prime Minister Mackenzie King, avoiding any sort of conflict from the general society, first had Japanese males between the ages of 14 and 45 deported to a place more than 160 kilometers inland.