The term “Chinese Canadian” generally refers to people who identify as having Chinese ancestry, and reside in Canada. Some Chinese Canadian families have been in Canada for multiple generations. The first Chinese Canadian communities were established in the mid-nineteenth century. A series of gold rushes in 1858 brought Chinese migrants to BC’s shores, hoping to strike it rich. Some worked in Canada for a few years, sending the money they earned back to their families in China before returning there. Others put down permanent roots in Canada.

Though exclusionary policies severely limited Chinese migration to Canada in the early twentieth century, in the latter half of the century, Canada and China both relaxed their immigration laws, starting a new wave of migration to Canada. Many migrants from Hong Kong and Mainland China settled here, forming their own communities as well as creating ties with existing Chinese Canadian communities.

Chinese Canadian communities are very diverse. People of Chinese ancestry in Canada migrated from every continent except Antarctica. Chinese Canadians came to Canada from places as far-ranging as Mauritius, South Africa, and more. The 1970s and 1980s saw a rising tide of political persecution and anti-Chinese policies in many countries, so a lot of people with Chinese ancestry migrated to Canada during this period.

Today, many new immigrants come to Canada with a university education, professional credentials, and enough savings to support themselves. Many have made personal sacrifices, leaving behind well-paying jobs and high social status, to give their children better opportunities.