With the outbreak of World War One in 1914 many countries imposed immigration restrictions, including Canada. When Canada went to war on the side of England, parliament evoked the War Measures Act. The War Measures Act was passed, giving the government wide powers to arrest, detain and deport. "Enemy Aliens" were forced to register themselves and subjected to many restrictions. Most Lebanese and other immigrants from enemy countries were met with suspicion and accused of being spies. Throughout the war various rights were taken away including the right to vote. When the war ended in 1918 the Canadian government continued its restrictions of enemy countries as a form of punishment for being on the losing side. Over the course of the next 25 years Canada would slowly rescind these restrictions; it would not be until the end of the Second World War (1939-1945) that Canada would lift all restrictions for immigration to Canada.

 

 

 

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