IMMIGRATION, REFUGEES AND THE SECOND WORLD WAR

Constance Hayward

Early Life

Constance Hayward was born in Newcastle, NB in 1906 and Attended the Acadia Ladies Seminary, Aberdeen High School in Moncton, NB and finally Acadia University.

She graduated with a BA in 1927 and then applied for the London School of Economics for her graduate work. She specialized in international affairs.

Miss Hayward returned to Canada in 1934 to work with the League of Nations Society.

League of Nations

During the 1930s Ms. Hayward worked as a lecturer and organizer with the League of Nations Society in Canada. She would lecture across the country regarding current international politics and the efforts of Canada, a new nation in international politics.

Like many Canadians, she did advocate for continued support of the British Empire since, despite its recent independence Britain still was for many the mother country.

League of Nations cont.

The League during the war would advocate strongly for the elimination of Nazism, spreading pamphlets that encouraged people to do all they must towards the war effort and not just that but a revolution in policy both international and domestic to prevent such things from happening again.

The League itself was very concerned over the worsening situation in Europe and the fate of the people in countries that were being taken over by Germany.

Refugees

Constance Hayward would serve as executive secretary for the committee throughout the Second World War.

One of the things that made the committee memorable was its continued advocating for the liberalization of Canadian immigration laws and those governing displaced persons even after the war.

This was in contrast to the more insular perception many had regarding immigration, particularly during wartime.

Immigrants

Her work would continue with the Department of Citizenship and Immigration following the war.

Here, her lectures would also resume on the importance of helping the migrant settle into Canada and on the importance of understanding and moderation in settling the conflicts that arise between diverse groups.

Throughout her work Miss Hayward would continually advocate for the ideal of the ‘mosaic’ country even if it was not an actual reality.

Immigration cont.

Immigrant Origins

Later Life

After her retirement in 1958 Miss Hayward would return to Wolfville permanently. Here she would continue to lecture and volunteer with local organizations.

She would also become a large part of the university community joining the Board of Governors and joining the University Senate.

On April 8th, 1982 she would die in Miller Hospital in Nova Scotia at the age of 76. Her remains would be buried alongside those of her parents in Newcastle.

Opinions

Considering my focus was on Miss Hayward’s work with immigrants and refugees most of the documentation I had that was relevant to the subject matter was work reports and documents.

While these were very informative in painting a picture of just what exactly she did they held little of her personal opinions regarding the immigration system.

Conclusion

Miss Constance Hayward does not have her name in a history book or on any official laws or policies.

However she is significant and through her work of educating on and supporting the struggles of the migrant of the refugee she changed the world.

She stands as an example of the ideal of a mosaic country, one where the differences between people are not just accepted but a part of the beauty of the grand design.

Bibliography

Bolaria, B Singh, and Sean P Hier. Identity and belonging : rethinking race and ethnicity in Canadian society. Toronto, ON: Canadian Scholars' Press, 2006.

Caccia, Ivana. Managing the Canadian mosaic in wartime : shaping citizenship policy, 1939-1945. Montreal, Quebec: McGill-Queen's University Press, 2010.

Halli, Shivalingappa S, Frank Trovato, and Leo Driedger. Ethnic demography : Canadian immigrant, racial, and cultural variations. Ottawa, ON: Carleton University Press, 1990.

Hawkins, Freda. Canada and immigration; public policy and public concern.. Montreal, Quebec: McGill-Queen's University Press, 1972.

Kelley, Ninette, and Michael J Trebilcock. The making of the mosaic : a history of Canadian immigration policy. Toronto, ON: University of Toronto Press, 2010.

Passaris, Constantine, and Canadian Foundation for Economic Education. Understanding Canadian Immigration. Toronto, ON: Canadian Foundation for Economic Education, 1978.

Westhues, Anne. Canadian social policy : issues and perspectives. Waterloo, ON: Wilfrid Laurier University Press, 2003.

http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/department/media/speeches/2011/2011-07-19.asp http://www.cic.gc.ca/english/resources/research/census2001/canada/partb.asp

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