The Parliament of Canada officially suspended all Chinese immigration with the enactment of the Chinese Immigration Act. This legislation was the culmination of growing anti-Chinese sentiment within Canada during the early 20th century. The act was introduced amid a context of economic anxiety and social tensions prevalent among the Canadian populace. Many white Canadians perceived Chinese immigrants as economic competitors, particularly in labor-intensive sectors such as mining and railway construction. Consequently, the act was framed as a necessary measure to protect Canadian jobs.

The legislative move was met with an uproar among the Chinese-Canadian community and social activists. They recognized the act's discriminatory nature, which not only barred new immigration but also severely affected the chances of Chinese individuals already living in Canada to reunite with family members. Protests and appeals for fair treatment and equal rights were organized, yet they faced significant obstacles in Parliament. The government justified the act through nationalistic rhetoric, asserting the need for a homogenized Canadian society.

This decision reflected broader trends of exclusion and immigration restriction that were occurring globally during that era, fueled by xenophobia and economic protectionism. The ban on Chinese immigration lasted for over twenty-four years, deeply entrenching systemic racial policies within Canadian law. It wasn't until the Canadian Citizenship Act in 1947 that Chinese immigrants were allowed to finally apply for citizenship, leading towards a more inclusive immigration policy that would reshape Canada in the decades to follow.