As a Result of the Riot

Shortly after the riot, the Chinese, realizing that they could not effectively retaliate, withdrew into their communities and declared a general strike. The strike lasted approximately two days, but was very effective. Many of the city's hotels found that they could not operate without the services of the Chinese people, and were forced to close. Eventually, the Chinese Board of Trade pressed claims against the federal government, and a settlement was reached.
As for the Japanese immigrants, whose shops were damaged, they filed a total of over 250 damage claims sent to the Labour Minister Mackenzie King. Total damages to the shops were estimated at around $9 000, and most shops received compensation from the government. Prime Minister Laurier acted by apologizing to the Japanese Emperor for the violent treatment of the Japanese immigrants.

Events After the Riot : 1910's to 1940's

The Chinese

In 1923, the Exclusion Act was passed and the Chinese were no longer able to immigrate into B.C. This act was inforced for a period of 23 years and greatly hindered the growth of the Chinese community. Anti-Chinese attitudes continued, even though improvements in interracial relations came about in the 1930's. There were laws forbidding Chinese businesses from hiring white workers. In 1935 the Liberal party proclaimed : " A vote for a Liberal candidate is a vote against Oriental enfrachisement."
During the years of Word War II, the anti-Oriental feeling shifted away from the Chinese and became focused on th Japanese. After the war ended, most of the discriminatory laws against the Chinese were repealed. In 1947, the Chinese were given the right to vote, become citizens, and enter such previously forbidden profession such as law, medicine, pharmacy, etc... In the same year, immigration of Chinese was re-permitted, though on a restricted basis. However, it was not until 1987 that the Chinese immigrants were considered fully equal immigrants from other parts of the world.

The East Indians

Although the East Indian communities were no directly targeted during the riot; they were subjected to similar treatmens as the Chinese and Japanese. The most well known event was the arrival of the Kamagata Maru, carrying a shipload of Sikhs and Punjabi Muslim immigrants. They were refused permission to dock at the harbour. The 400 men were ship bounded in the hot summer sun. Being ill-fed, many on board were sick. They fought off the police and city officials with bricks, coal, and deck iron, until they were finally forced to surrender. The Kamagata Maru was finally escorted out of the harbour by the Canadian cruiser H.M.C.S. Rainbow. Tense and tragic incidents continued through the 1920's, 30's, and 40's. However, the gradual education of the Canadian-born generations changed the pattern of hardship.

The Japanese

Japan's aggression in Asia during the beginning of the World War II added to local resentment and fear, even though the majority of the Japanese in Canada were born in Canada and had never been to Japan. Anti-Japanese sentiment in Canada reached a peak after the Pearl Harbour attack. In March of 1942, the federal government, with pressure from B.C., began the forceful relocation of 21 000 people of Japanese ancestry. Their property and possessions were seized by the government and cheaply auctiond off. Many spent that year in internment camps or farms in Alberta and directly to Ontario.