Royal Commissions

Introduction

Throughout the history of Canada, a number of Royal Commissions have taken place. A Royal Commission is a group of people appointed by Canada's government to investigate an important situation.

Sam, a vegetable vendor in Vancouver. image courtesy of BC Archives, Victoria, BC. B 01652

The government of Canada set up three Royal Commissions in order to understand different aspects of the "Chinese situation". The first was in 1885, the second in 1902 and the third in 1908. The topic of Chinese immigration was covered in each, but the conclusions were different, as were peoples' reactions to the Chinese. The Commissions asked prominent white men, and as well some Chinese men and white women, what their feelings about Chinese immigration were. They also asked whether or not strict legislation limiting Chinese immigration was necessary. Each Commission had repercussions that effected the lives of Chinese people in Kootenay and beyond.