Why did so many Irish immigrants leave Ireland and move to Canada?

The Great Famine of the late 1840s drove 1.5 to 2 million destitute Irish out of Ireland, and hundreds of thousands came to British North America. These immigrants arrived in large numbers and in poor physical condition, overwhelming the quarantine facilities put into place to prevent the spread of disease.

Why did people move from Ireland to Canada?

Irish Immigration. Pre-Confederation British North America became home to thousands of people fleeing poverty or oppression in their homelands with hopes to build a better life. In the 1840s, Irish peasants came to Canada in vast numbers to escape a famine that swept Ireland.

Can Irish people move to Canada?

International Mobility stream allows Irish nationals to move to Canada through The International Experience (IEC) programs. The agreement between Canada and select countries, including Ireland, allows foreign nationals to study and/or work in Canada.

What years did Irish immigrants come to Canada?

1.2 million Irish immigrants arrived from 1825 to 1970, and at least half of those in the period from 1831 to 1850. By 1867, they were the second largest ethnic group (after the French), and comprised 24% of Canada’s population.

What jobs did the Irish immigrants have in Canada?

Irish immigrants often entered the workforce at the bottom of the occupational ladder and took on the menial and dangerous jobs that were often avoided by other workers. Many Irish American women became servants or domestic workers, while many Irish American men labored in coal mines and built railroads and canals.

Is there a large Irish population in Canada?

By 1867, they were the second largest ethnic group (after the French), and comprised 24% of Canada’s population. As of the 2016 Canada Census, 4,627,000 Canadians, or 13.43% of the population, claim full or partial Irish ancestry.