Social inclusion of Japanese Canadians: a view from Toronto

Abstract

Although generally an immigrant-friendly country with high immigration levels, Canada also had racially-motivated policies of discrimination, as seen in the mass internment of Japanese Canadians (JCs) during the Second World War. Today, JCs constitute a relatively small ethnic group, mainly made up of descendants of pre-war immigrants, as well as post-war immigrants and their offspring. With the highest rate of mixed unions among any ethnic group in Canada, JCs and the issues that they face are very diverse. Drawing from the experience of the Japanese Social Services in Toronto, a reconstituted case of a JC senior is presented and discussed. Implications for social work practice are presented.