Activity 1 page 3

Immigrants have many reasons for leaving their homelands. They have many reasons for choosing Canada for their new home. These push and pull factors may include the following:

• Economic factors - dealing with decisions based on finances
  
  Push factor: High unemployment rates may be a factor in making a decision to leave one's home.
  
  Pull factor: Employment opportunities in Canada may encourage people to come.
  
  
• Political factors - dealing with decisions made by governments
  
  Push factor: A government that persecutes a particular group is an example.
  
  Pull factor: Canada's democratic government and Charter of Rights and Freedoms that guarantees equality for all Canadians are examples.
  
  
• Health factors - dealing with decisions based on physical issues
  
  Push factor: Famine, disease, or pollution are examples.
  
  Pull factor: Canada's publicly-funded health care system and social assistance system are examples.
  
  
• Security factors - dealing with decisions based on the need for a feeling of safety
  
  Push factor: War or gang violence in a nation are examples.
  
  Pull factor: Canada's safety and provision of legal rights are examples.
  
  
• Rights factors - dealing with the opportunity to ensure individual and collective rights
  
  Push factor: Rights of women or child labour rights are examples.
  
  Pull factor: Canada's Charter of Rights and Freedoms ensures individual and collective rights.

©Thinkstock

©Thinkstock

Going Beyond

 Internet Web Search

Research Pier 21, a port in Halifax that was the main landing area for ships coming from Europe in the mid-1900s. Open an Internet web browser, and enter the key terms "Pier 21 Canadian Immigration Process".

At the Virtual Museum site, enter the interactive section. Then, go to the resource section where you can examine various interactive historical resources relating to Pier 21 and immigration into Canada. When you have finished exploring, test your knowledge by playing the interactive game.

You may also wish to visit the Archives in the Classroom website and explore "Letters from the Trunk". To do so, open an Internet web browser, and enter the key terms "Letters from the Trunk". Exploring actual archival records and learning about immigrants who travelled to Canada and settled in Alberta will be like travelling through time.