World war II was a hard and trying time for many, but more so for the Japanese in Canada. They became subject to harassment and racism and were let down by their government. The years 1941 through 1945 saw unjust treatment on the race. Twenty-one thousand Japanese were not only relocated from their homes on the coast of BC to the Interior or prairies, all of their belongings left behind, including homes, shops, furniture, etc were sold at auction. They did not receive any of the earnings from their belongings. .
The attack on Pearl Harbour, which occurred December 7th, 1941, was the most consequential event in the decision to intern the Japanese-Canadians. The fall of Hong Kong was the second whom Canadian troops had a part in late December. The government took suck harsh measures as to relocate the entire Japanese-Canadian population because they believed that there might have been spies or that they might help Japanese invade Canada even though there was no evidence that the Japanese wanted to invade Canada. .
Many believe that the issue was based on racial grounds, as there was a long history of racial discrimination on the West Coast. It was not specifically internment itself that was prejudice, but the way in which internees were treated. Others believe that the issue was based on military grounds. Much evidence points to military justification, but there still the issue of how the internees were dealt with.
Every Japanese-Canadian of sixteen years or older had to bear a Japanese Registration Card. All men of eighteen years or older were moved away from the coast of BC first of all. Some were even sent to farms and construction camps to do forced labour. Several months later they allowed to reunite with their families at a distance from the coast. Some families worked on farms if they could find a farmer who would employ them. .
On April 1st, 1949 the last of the restrictions placed upon Japanese-Canadians were lifted including the necessity to carry the Registration card.
