The Hakka Melting Pot in Toronto

As the economic and political climate turned against the Hakkas in their former homes, many sought a better life in Canada. Ironically, until the 1950s and even the 1960s, Canada discriminated against and rejected the Chinese through restrictive immigration practices and denied opportunities. Now Canada welcomes the Chinese as strong players in the country’s economic growth. In 2001, Canada counted over one million Chinese residents, the largest non-European ethnic group. In 1999, about 10 percent of the Chinese were Hakkas. 72 percent of Canadians of Chinese origin were born outside of the country. Of these, more than 77 percent arrived since 1981. Chinese is Canada’s third most spoken language, after English and French. Canada has become the new land of opportunity for the Hakka.