What is the Canada Health Act

In the late 19th century Canada welcomed the help of Chinese labourers to build valuable infrastructure, including the Canadian Pacific Railway. But the labourers had to pay a price for entrance into the country. Under the Chinese Immigration Act of 1885, the Canadian government collected a head tax of up to $500 per person. No other immigrant group in Canadian history has ever been forced to pay a levy based on country of origin. This short video explains how punitive immigration policies back then are still felt in the Chinese Canadian community now.