Italian Canadian internment List of concentration and internment camps

on june 10, 1940, italy joined war on axis side. after that, italian canadians heavily scrutinized. openly fascist organizations deemed illegal while individuals fascist inclinations arrested without warrants. organizations seen openly fascist had properties confiscated without warrants well. provision in canadian war measures act enacted prime minister king. named defense of canada regulations, allowed government authorities take needed measures protect country internal threats , enemies. same afternoon italy joined axis powers, italian consular , embassy officials asked leave physically possible. canada, heavily involved in war effort on allies side, saw italian communities breeding ground of internal threats , haven of conceivable spy networks helping fascist axis nations of italy , germany. though many italians anti-fascist , no longer politically involved homeland, did not stop 600-700 italians being sent internment camps throughout canada.

the main brunt of italian prisoners sent camp petawawa situated in ottawa river valley. october 1940 round had been completed. italian canadian montrealer, mario duliani wrote, city without women life in internment camp petawawa during world war ii describes personal account of struggles of time. throughout country italians investigated rcmp officials had compiled list of italian persons politically involved , connected in italian communities. of arrested individuals montreal , toronto areas , pronounced enemy aliens.

after war, resentment , suspicion still lingered upon italian communities. laval fortier, commissioner overseas immigration after war wrote italian south peasant not type looking in canada. standard of living, way of life, civilization seem different doubt if ever become asset our country . such remarks embedded large proportion of country had negative views upon italian communities. gallop poll released in 1946 showed 73 percent of québécois against immigration 25 percent stating italians group of people wanted kept out. such stance upon italian people evident though years prior war had proven italians asset canadian economy , industry, accomplished critical jobs seen unappealing such laying track across rural , dangerous landscapes , construction of infrastructure in urban areas.