This is a quick reference table of all the Orders-in-Council enacted by the Government of Canada’s Privy Council regarding immigration for the period 1930-60. (I will also post those I find before and after this time but they will not be comprehensive.) This is a work in progress. I’ve done 1930-47 and have dozens more to go. Last updated 7 Apr 2025.
Quick reference table of Orders-in-Council
| OIC P.C. no. | OIC date | Re: [subject, with immigrants affected in BOLD] | Amended by |
|---|---|---|---|
| 24 | 3 Jun 1908 | References s. 37, Immigration Act, revokes OIC 926. “From and after the date hereof no immigrant of any Asiatic race shall be permitted to land in Canada unless such immigrant possess in his own right money to the amount of at least two hundred dollars.” Exceptions for countries with treaties. | Rescinded by PC 2668 (16 Jul 1921) |
| 1 May 1909 | Treasury Board re Chinese Immigration Act “Teachers who are eligible to impart instruction in one of the recognized schools or colleges or other educational institution of Canada designed for those whose entire time is given to scholastic work.” | ||
| 371 | 19 Feb 1913 | “No person of Chinese origin passing through Canada from one port or place out of Canada to another port or place out of Canada shall be allowed to pay the tax imposed by the Chinese immigration Act, or to remain in Canada.” | Chinese who paid a bond to travel through not permitted to apply for residence on arrival. |
| 23 | 7 Jan 1914 | “From and after the date hereof the landing in Canada shall be and the same is hereby prohibited of any immigrant who has come to Canada otherwise than by continuous journey from the country of which he is a native or naturalized citizen and upon a through ticket purchased in that country or prepaid in Canada.” | |
| FIRST WORLD WAR BEGAN 28 JUL 1914 | |||
| 1433 | 24 May 1917 | OIC PC 1433 was in place for seventeen months May 1917 to Nov 1918. Controlled the emigration (out-migration) of men 18-45 considered eligible to fight in the war effort. Two forms: “Schedule B: Permit to Leave Canada.” Sched. B. was a full page form including a photo. Accompanied by a “Schedule A,” which summarized the details provided in Sched. B. with date and place of departure, date of form, age, nationality, residence, intended destination, purpose of trip, date of expected return. | Amended by OIC PC 1531 (4 Jun 1917), 1790 (30 Jun 1917), 2173 (9 Aug 1917), [2504] (15 Sep 1917), rescinded by 2828 (15 Nov 1918). |
| 3073 | 29 Oct 1917 | Citing the War Measures Act (1914), the Immigration portfolio was moved from the Department of the Interior to the newly created “Department of Immigration and Colonization.” The new department was responsible for all immigration under The Chinese Immigration Act and the Immigration Act. The responsibility for this portfolio shifted from the Prime Minister, acting as President of the Privy Council (P.C.), to the Secretary of State for External Affairs (the latter also a member of the PC). The OIC allowed for appointments of a Deputy Minister and a Private Secretary. | |
| FIRST WORLD WAR ENDED 11 NOV 1918 | |||
| 1202 | 9 Jun 1919 | Immigration Act, 9-10, ch 27, s. 38 “From and after the date herof and until otherwise ordered the anding in Canada at any port of entry in British Columbia hereinafter specified, of any immgrant of the following classes or occupations, viz., skilled and unskilled labour, is hereby prohibited. The following ports of entry in British Columbia are hereby designated as the ports of entry at which this order shall apply: — Vancouver, Victoria, New Westminster, Nanaimo, Prince Rupert, Port Simpson, Anyox, Comox, Ganges Harbour, Ladner, Ladysmith, Steveston, Chemainus, Powell River, Stewart, Union Bay, Whales Island, Newport, Alberni, White Pass. | Prohibited entry of unskilled labourers into BC |
| 183 | 31 Jan 1923 | Revokes PC 717. References s. 38 of the Immigration Act, 9-10 Edward VII, Chap. 27, amended by 9-10 George V, Chap. 26. All immigrants are prohibited, except i) agriculturalists with means entering to farm; ii) farm workers; iii) female domestics; iv) wife or child under eighteen of a legal resident who can provide for same; v) U.S. citizen who can prove their occupation is desired in Canada; vi) British subject from British subject from Great Britain, Northern Ireland, United States, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa. “…the provisions of this Order in Council shall not apply to immigrants of any Asiatic race…” | Amended by PC 642 (1923), 534 (8 Apr 1923), 1957 (14 Aug 1920. |
| 1413 | 7 Aug 1929 | Prohibits landing of contract Labour other than farmers, farm labourers and houseworkers or any contract labour approved by Minister of Mines and Resources. | Suspended by 1329 (11 Apr 1947) |
| 612 | 2 Apr 1930 | Amends OIC 185 re: passport requirements for diplomats | |
| 1957 | 14 Aug 1930 | Amends OIC 183 and s.38 of the Immigration Act | |
| 1966 | 14 Aug 1930 | Amends OIC 182 | |
| 2115 | 16 Sep 1930 | Rescinds OIC 182, amended by OIC 1966. “From and after the 16th August, 1930, and until otherwise ordered, the landing in Canada of any immigrant of any Asiatic race is hereby prohibited..” [Immigration may admit] “…wife or unmarried child under 18 years of age, of any Canadian citizen legally admitted to and resident in Canada, who is in a position to receive and care for his dependants.” | |
| 695 | 21 Mar 1931 | Rescinds OIC 183, amended by OIC 642, 534, and 1957. “From and after the 18th March, 1931, and until otherwise ordered, the landing in Canada of immigrants of all classes and occupations, is hereby prohibited, except…”[British subject from Great Britain, Northern Ireland, United States, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa], “…wife or unmarried child under 18 years of age, of any Canadian citizen legally admitted to and resident in Canada, who is in a position to receive and care for his dependants,” [agriculturalists], “The provisions of this Order in Council shall not apply to any immigrants of any Asiatic race.” | PC 885 (23 Apr 1937), 5022 (31 Jun 1944), 2017 (28 May 1946), 317 (10 Jan 1947), 734 (1 May 1947), 4849 (26 Nov 1947) |
| 1378 | 17 Jun 1931 | References s.2 of Act of 1914, s.4 of the Immigration Act. “… the issue of Naturalization Certificates to applicants of Chinese and Japanese origin be and it is hereby limited, in the case of Chinese, to those who produce a consent of the Chinese Ministry of the Interior, and with respect to Japanese, to those who show that they have followed the procedure provided by the aforesaid Ordinance of the 17th November, 1924. | PC 1760 (13 Aug 1934), PC 367 (13 Feb 1947) |
| 2703 | 30 Oct 1931 | Rescinds para 2 of OIC PC 1274. | |
| 3173 | 29 Dec 1931 | References s.4 of Unemployment and Farm Relief Act. “All persons of Chinese origin who, under Section 23 of the Chinese Immigration Act, 1923, have registered on or subsequent to January 1st, 1930, and all persons of Chinese origin who may register under the said Section 23 on or before December 31st, 1932, may delay their return to Canada for a period of two years over and above the statutory period as set by Section 24 of the said Act.” | |
| 885 | 23 Apr 1937 | Amends OIC 695. Permits the immigration of “…The fiancee of any adult male legally admitted to and resident in Canada who is in a position to receive, marry, and care for his intended wife.” | |
| 3016 | 29 Nov 1938 | References s. 37 of the Immigration Act, rescinds OIC 185, amended by PC 612 and PC 82. Requires all subjects not a British subject from Great Britain, Northern Ireland, United States, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa to hold a valid passport and that the passport have a Canadian visa. | PC 2070 (28 May 1946), 2388 (17 Jun 1947), 4851 (26 Nov 1947) |
| SECOND WORLD WAR (1939-45) | |||
| 264 | 3 Feb 1939 | Amends OIC 695 to permit in 1939 a limit of one hundred female domestic servants from Denmark, Norway, Sweden, or Finland only. | |
| 2653 | 14 Sep 1939 | References s.3 of War Measures Act. Prohibits the entry or landing of any enemy aliens and nationals of any territory now occupied by enemy country. [Austria, Czechoslovakia, Germany, Italy, Japan, Poland?] | PC 3547 (21 May 1941), 1373 (9 Apr 1946) |
| 4751 | 12 Sep 1940 | References ch. 206, War Measures Act, Immigration Act, Canada Shipping Act, Criminal Code. Regarding alien seamen who refuse to continue performing their duties, will be detained and deported. | Revoked by 2406 (14 Jun 1946) |
| 7722 | 31 Dec 1940 | References s.23, Chinese Immigration Act, s.3 War Measures Act, ch. 206 Revised Statutes of Canada, 1927. “All persons of Chinese origin or descent, who under Section 23 of the Chinese Immigration Act, 1923, have registered on or subsequent to December 1st, 1938, and all persons of Chinese origin or descent who may register under the said Section 23 on or before December 31st, 1941, may delay their return to Canada for a period of two years over and above the statutory period as set by Section 24 of the said Act.” | Revoked by PC 10160 (31 Dec 1941). |
| 10160 | 31 Dec 1941 | Revokes OIC 7722, references War Measures Act , and ch. 206 of Revised Statutes Act. “… all persons of Chinese origin or descent registering outward under the authority of Section 23 of teh Chinese Immigration Act, 1923, between the first day of December 1938 and the date on which the war terminates, both dates inclusive, may delay their return to Canada either for two years beyond the termination of the war or for one year beyond the period provided in Section 24 of the Chinese Immigration Act, 1923, whichever may be the longer.” | |
| 79/1840 | 10 Mar 1942 | “…exemptions from the Canadian Income Tax grated to Chinese taxpayers in respect of their dependents residing in China… taxpayers should sign a declaration… [for] the Income Tax authorities that they actually have dependents resident in China. The aforesaid declaration form is obtainable from the local Income Tax authorities.” | Letter from Chinese Consulate to F. Fong and H. Fong, Chicoutimi, P.Q. dated 9 Jul 1942, Chinese Consular records, vol 4, file 1, LAC |
| 1841 | 10 Mar 1942 | Revokes OIC 2371 re: prohibition of transport of wives and children under twelve to the European war zone. Replaces with tighter regulations. Women and children under sixteen must seek a three month exit permit and hold valid passports. Without an exit permit, they will not be permitted to travel; passport officers are not permitted to issue passports; ships are not permitted to carry them; and customs officers are not permitted to allow ships carrying same to depart. | |
| 8413 | 18 Sep 1942 | References War Measures Act, chapters 93 and 206 of Revised Statutes of Canada, and the Immigration Act. Aliens called up for military service who claim exemption due to nationality lose claim to Canadian domicile and residence, will be considered undesirable and deported, and will be inadmissible for future immigration after deportation. | |
| 10210 | 10 Nov 1942 | References the War Measures Act and OIC PC 4568 (25 Jun 1941) re: internment camps for prisoners of war. P.O.W.s who have been released and admitted to Canada may be re-interned if their liberty is considered to be against public interest. | Revoked by PC 3887 (11 May 1943), and by 1297 (26 Apr 1946) |
| 9440 | 10 Dec 1943 | References War Measures Act, Immigration Act, ch 93 of the Revised Statutes of Canada, 1927, OIC 2653. Re: Refugees from the United Kingdom may be issued temporary one year Canadian entry permits. The Director of Immigration will send the particulars including address to the Registrar General. Permit holders are regarded as enemy aliens subject to National Selective Service. | |
| 378 | 21 Jan 1944 | Amends OIC 1841 to extend exit permits from three months to six months. | |
| 5024 | 30 Jun 1944 | Amends OIC 695, amended by 885. Permits the entry of a non-immigrant who served in the Armed Forces and was honourably discharged. | |
| 7811 | 6 Oct 1944 | Amends 1274 re: $25 fee to replace Chinese landing certificates issued subsequent to 1 Jun 1912 to Chinese persons. The $25 fee to replace Chinese landing certificates is waived for worn-out or defaced certificates. | |
| 9029 | 30 Nov 1944 | References the War Measures Act, and amends OIC 7318 re: dependents of Canadian Armed Forces members. Adds family members of the Corps of (Civilian) Canadian Fire Fighters in the United Kingdom as approved to come to Canada if they are wife, widow, or child under eighteen. | |
| POST-WWII, 1946-50 | |||
| 1373 | 9 Apr 1946 | Revokes 2653, amended by 3547; references the War Measures Act, and s.38 of the Immigration Act. Allows the landing of immigrants barred as “enemy aliens,” provided they were opposed to the enemy government. [Austria, Czechoslovakia, Germany, Italy, Japan, Poland?] | Amended by 2908 (31 Jul 1947), revoked by 4850 (26 Nov 1947) |
| 2070 | 28 May 1946 | References 3016, and s.37 of the Immigration Act re: requirement to hold an unexpired passport. Amends 3016 and Chapter 93 of the Immigration Act, and Revised Statutes of Canada, 1927 to add that travel documents will be accepted in lieu of passports for displaced immigrants. | |
| 2071 | 28 May 1946 | Amends 695, amended by 885 and 5024. Adds the following para.: “The father or mother, the unmarried son, or daughter eighteen years of age or over, the unmarried brother or sister, the orphan nephew or niece under sixteen years of age, of any person legally admitted to and resident in Canada…” | |
| 2406 | 14 Jun 1946 | References 4752; War Measures Act, ch. 206; and Revised Statutes of Canada, 1927. Revokes 4751 re: seamen who refuse duties will be deported. | |
| 3112 | 23 Jul 1946 | Recruits four thousand Polish agricultural workers from the Polish Armed forces located in the UK and/or Italy. | 4202 (9 Oct 1946), 5201 (19 Dec 1946), amended by 1746 (2 May 1947) and 2854 (18 Jul 1947) |
| 4186 | 16 Sep 1946 | Amends s.38, Immigration Act; references 4849. Admits “a citizen of France,” provided he has sufficient means of support. | |
| 4202 | 9 Oct 1946 | Amends 3112 to approve the issue of coats, mitts, and overalls to the four thousand Polish agricultural workers at a cost of $26,880 [$413,480 in 2024]. | 2414 (18 Jun 1947) |
| 4504 | 29 Oct 1946 | Proclamation to update the Immigration Act, 1946. | |
| 5201 | 19 Dec 1946 | Amends 3112 re: Polish agricultural workers to discuss how pay should be administered between the Departments of Labour and National Defence. | |
| 371 | 30 Jan 1947 | Amends 695 and its amendments 885, 2071 re: permissions to enter Canada of restricted classes. Rescinds para. 3, 3a, replaced with: “3. The wife, unmarried son, daughter, brother or sister, the father or mother, the widowed daughter or sister with or without unmarried children under eighteen years of age, the orphan nephew or niece under 18 years of age, of any person legally admitted to and resident in Canada, who is in a position to receive and care for such relatives.” Rescinds para 4, replaced with: “4(a) An agriculturalist having sufficient means to farm in Canada. (b) An agriculturalist entering Canada to farm, when desinted to a father, father-in-law, son, son-in-law, brother, brother-in-law, uncle or nephew engaged in agriculture as his principlal occupation who is in a position to receive such immigrant and establish him on a farm. (c) A farm labourer entering Canada to engage in assured farm employment. (d) A person experienced in mning, lumbering, or logging entering Canada to engage in assured employment in any one of such industries.” | |
| 567 | 13 Feb 1947 | Whereas …naturalization of applicants of Chinese and Japanese limited to those who could produce consent from Ministry of the Interior [China]… s. 39 of 1947 Canadian Citizenship Act does not require consent of [foreign bodies], OIC 1378 and 1760 rescinded. | Rescinds OIC PC 1378, 1760. |
| 1193 | 1 Apr 1947 | References 695. For the Dionne Spinning Mill Company of St. George, Beauce, QC, one hundred women for training and employment as textile workers at said mill. | |
| 1329 | 11 Apr 1947 | Suspends 1413 re contract labourers. | |
| 1645 | 29 Apr 1947 | Amends 695, amended by 885, 5024, 2071, 371. Para 3 replaced by: “3. The husband or wife; the son, daughter, brother or sister, together with husband or wife, if any, and unmarried children, if any; the father or mother; the orphan nephew or niece under 21 years of age; of any person legally admitted to and resident in Canada who is in a position to receive and care for such relatives.” | Revoked by 1733 (1 May 1947) |
| 1647 | 29 Apr 1947 | References 695. Admits “…1000 Jewish orphan children under the age of eighteen years…” in response to an application by the Canadian Jewish Congress with regards to an approval of 500 children approved in 1942. | |
| 1733 | 1 May 1947 | Revokes 1645. See instead 317 (30 Jan 1947). | |
| 1734 | 1 May 1947 | Amends 695, amended by 885, 5024, 2071, 371. Para 3 replaced by: “3. The husband or wife; the son, daughter, brother or sister, together with husband or wife and unmarried children if any; the father or mother; the orphan nephew or niece under 21 years of age; of any person legally resident in Canada who is in a position to received and care for such relatives.” Para 5 replaced by: “5. A person entering Canada for the purpose of marriage to a legal resident thereof; provided the prospective husband is able to maintain his intended wife.” | |
| 1746 | 6 Mar 1947 | Amends 3112 re: Polish agricultural labourers to approve 4500 instead of 4000. | |
| 2047 | 29 May 1947 | References Cabinet meetings 12 Nov 1946 re: National Research Council request for select enemy alien German scientists and technicians. Thirteen page OIC discusses particulars. | 2417 (19 Jan 1947) and 323/2833 (16 Jul 1947) |
| 2180 | 6 Jun 1947 | Approves 5000 displaced European refugees. | 44/2595 (4 Jul 1947), 2856 (18 Jul 1947), 3230 (12 Aug 1947), 3926 (1 Oct 1947), 5050 (30 Dec 1947), 1628 (22 Apr 1948), 2622 (10 Jun 1948), 3371 (28 Jul 1948), 3721 (5 Oct 1948). |
| 2838 | 17 Jun 1947 | Amends 3016. Passports must have a visa stamped from a Canadian Immigration Officer stationed in Europe. Does not apply to countries with Reciprocal Agreements in place which abolish visas. | |
| 2856 | 18 Jul 1947 | Amends 2180 to increase quota to ten thousand European refugees. | |
| 3926 | 1 Oct 1947 | Amends 2180, amended by 2856. Increases quota to twenty thousand European refugees. | |
| 4614 | 12 Nov 1947 | References 695. Admits seventy terrazzo workers from Italy. | |
| 4849 | 26 Nov 1947 | Revokes 695 entirely. References s.38 Immigration Act, ch. 93, RSC 1927. Immigrants approved: “1. A British subject entering Canada, directly or indirectly, from the United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, Ireland, Australia, New Zealand, the Union of South Africa, Newfoundland or the United States of America, who has sufficient means to maintain himself until he has secured employment: Provided that the only persons admissible under this section are British subjects by birth or naturalization in Canada [and rest of list above. 2. A citizen of the United States of America entering Canada from the United States of America [with means as above]… 3. The husband or wife; the son, daughter, brother or sister, together with husband or wife and unmarried children; the father or mother; the orphan nephew or niece under 21 years of age; of any person legally resident in Canada [with means as above]… 4 (a-d) [agriculturalists, relatives of agriculturalists, farm labourers, mining, lumber, logging] 5. A person entering Canada to marry a legal resident thereof [with means as above]… 6. [honourably discharged members of the Canadian Armed Forces] Provided that immigrants referred to in sections 2 and 4 above are destined for settlement to a province which has not signified its disapproval of such immigration.” [emphasis added] | 4186 (16 Sep 1948), 5593 (10 Dec 1948), 2743 (2 Jun 1949) |
| 4850 | 26 Nov 1947 | Revokes 1373. References s.38 Immigration Act; ch.93, Revised Statutes of Canada, 1927. “This Order shall not be held to exclude the nationals of Finland, Hungary, Italy and Roumania with whose countries peace treaties have been ratified by Canada.” | Revoked by 1606 (28 Mar 1950), replaced by 859 (26 May 1953) |
| 4851 | 26 Nov 1947 | Revokes 3016 re: visaed passports. References s.37 Immigration Act; ch. 93, Revised Statutes of Canada 1927. Significantly tightens passport regulations, except for the exempt classes of British and U.S. subjects. | Amended by 3015 (8 Jul 1948), 4462 (5 May 1948), 5594 (10 Dec 1948), 2744 (2 Jun 1949) |
| OIC no. | OIC date | Description of OIC contents | Amended, replaced, revoked by OIC no. |
References
Canada, Government of Canada, Privy Council, Ottawa, Ontario, Orders-in-Council, 1930-1960, paper files, reference no. RG2, A-1-a, Library and Archives Canada, Ottawa, ON.