Question:
Since the Charter of Rights and freedoms in Canada did not exist until 1982, how did the government take care of the Japanese Canadians for 25 years after knowing the prejudice these group have face? How have the leaders from the recent years responded to them being made to suffer their whole lives?
Answer:
The Canadian Charter of Rights, ratified in 1982; replaced the Canadian Bill of Rights established in 1960. There was no formal statement of the Rights of Canadians from the Canadian government prior to this time, prior to this time the rights of Canadians were consider to be "Implied by Law" rather than explicitly stated. Regardless, the internment of the Japanese Canadians in World War II was done under the authority of the Ar Measures Act, which allowed the Canadian government to set aside the rule of law in emergency situation such as wartime.
In 1950 a Royal Commission was authorized by the Canadian government which provided compensation for some of the property losses of Japanese Canadians. In 1988 the Canadian government gave the Japanese Canadians a formal apology for the Internment, and provided a compensation package of $21,000 (CAD) to each internee. Also in 1988 the War Measures Act was repealed, replaced by the Emergencies Act which now prohibits actions in violation of the Charter even in times of Emergency; so such action as the Japanese Internment could never again be legally done in Canada..
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