Transcript Constance Hayward - Acadia University

Constance Hayward
IMMIGRATION, REFUGEES AND THE SECOND
WORLD WAR
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
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ethnicity in Canadian society. Toronto, ON: Canadian Scholars' Press, 2006.
Caccia, Ivana. Managing the Canadian mosaic in wartime : shaping citizenship
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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
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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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