I. Y. KOTIN (Saint Petersburg) Doctor of Historical Sciences indo-Canadians India, Canada, Keywords:, multiculturalism Canada and India have long been dependent territories on Great Britain, and even now they retain membership in the Commonwealth of Nations. The first group of Indians appeared in Canada precisely in connection with the special relations of these countries with the mother country. Initially, the Indians settled in western Canada1, but later they appeared in Eastern Canada, in particular, in the Atlantic provinces of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. South Asian immigration to Canada was initiated by Sikhs and Hindus who built the Canadian Pacific Railway's branch line to Vancouver in 1881-1889. After the work was completed, many Indians remained as workers in the sawmills of Vancouver and its suburbs. By the beginning of 1908, more than 5,000 Indians had arrived in Canada. Canada was not spared the economic downturn of 1906-1907, which resulted, in particular, in the growing dissatisfaction of trade unions with new arrivals. In September 1907, the so-called "Vancouver riot" began-demonstrations and pogroms in the "Asian" quarters in connection with the report of the alleged arrival of another ship with Indian workers. In the same year, 1907, the Legislature of British Columbia deprived natives of India of the right to vote in local elections, a special act in 1908 prohibited Indians from settling in Canada, and they could even land on the Canadian coast only if they had a large amount in local currency. Shipping companies were not recommended routes from India to Canada. RESURGENCE OF SOUTH ASIAN IMMIGRATION With the declaration of Indian independence in 1947, the Canadian Government returned to the topic of Indian immigration, which had been closed for several decades. In 1951, Canada and India agreed on an immigration quota of 150 people per year. In 1956, this quota was increased to 300. A year later, the Indians who settled in the country were allow ... Read more