Canada (Province). Emigrant Office

• Emigrant Office

• Canada (Province). Emigration Office

• Canada (Province). Emigration Agency

• Canada (Province). Department of Emigration

The Emigrant Office was created in 1841, following the union of the Canadas, when the Emigrant Offices for Upper and Lower Canada, were merged to form a single immigrant agency. The agency was under the authority of the British government, though a substantial portion of its budget was paid by the province. The Chief Emigrant Agent at Quebec, A.C. Buchanan (Jr.), at last presided over A.B. Hawke and the other agents of Canada West in practice as well as theory. Hawke reported to and took orders from Buchanan (though he also continued to report to the Civil Secretary and later the Provincial Secretary until the early 1850s). As Buchanan was based in Canada East, Hawke still maintained a leadership role among Canada West agents. Accounts for all agents were submitted to Buchanan and paid by the provincial government. The Quebec office was made the official headquarters for the agency in 1842.

Until the mid-nineteenth century, the imperial government played a major role in matters relating to immigration. The province of Canada gained substantial autonomy in establishing its own immigration policy from about 1848, but the imperial ties persisted into the 1850s. In 1852 or 1853, the Emigrant Office ceased to exist as an imperial agency, and became a subordinate body of the Bureau of Agriculture.

The Emigrant Office assisted newly-arrived immigrants to the Province of Canada by providing provisions and temporary shelter, and by helping them to find medical care, employment, and transportation to their final destination. Most of those served by the agency were poor or in need of special protection (e.g. widows and orphans). In addition, emigrant agents initiated work projects for immigrants to enable them to earn some income after their arrival. Agents were also responsible for recording statistical information on immigration patterns and local living conditions, including job availability, cost of living, country of origin, age, occupation, arrival, and final destination.

2026-11-16: migrated to AtoM

Bishop, Olga. Publications of the Government of the Province of Canada 1841-1867. Ottawa: National Library of Canada, 1963.

Hodgetts, J.E. Pioneer Public Service: An Administrative History of the United Canadas, 1841-1867. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1955.

Turner, Wesley B. "Buchanan, Alexander Carlisle", Dictionary of Canadian Biography Vol. VIII 1851-1860, eds. Frances G. Halpenny and Jean Hamelin. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1985.

Turner, Wesley B. "Hawke, Anthony Bewden", Dictionary of Canadian Biography Vol.IX 1861-1870. eds. George W. Brown et al. Toronto: University of Toronto Press, 1976.

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