Chinese Immigration Act (Exclusion Act) 1923

Despite the heavy Head Taxes, Chinese immigrants continued to come to Canada.

On July 1, 1923 the Chinese Immigration Act was passed, excluding all but a few Chinese Immigrants from entering Canada. Less than 50 Chinese were allowed to come to Canada between the Act's passing and its repeal in 1947.

The Chinese Immigration Act of 1923 stipulated that every person of Chinese origin in Canada, irrespective of citizenship, was required to register with the government within twelve months after the act came into force, and to obtain a certificate of such registration. Those who failed to do so would be fined $500 or imprisonment for up to twelve months, or both.

The Act also specified that those Chinese who wanted to leave the country had to register before doing so. Those who failed to register would be treated as new immigrants seeking entry upon their return. Essentially the act stopped any future immigration of Chinese into Canada, and legalized the inferior status of those already in the country.