Vietnam War resisters in Canada

Many Americans did not want to fight in the Vietnam War. Between 1965 and 1975, these people went to Canada for safety and political asylum. Many were young people who had finished college or came from middle class families. Some were from working class backgrounds and had joined the United States Armed Forces.

These resisters believed the war was wrong and did not want to be part of it. By moving to Canada, they hoped to avoid fighting. After the war ended in 1975, many stayed in Canada. Their choice showed strong beliefs about peace and doing what they thought was right, even when it was hard.

History

Immigration and politics

Further information: Draft evasion in the Vietnam War

Starting in 1965, many Americans did not want to fight in the Vietnam War. They chose to live in Canada. Canada made it easy for people from any country to become residents. They treated these Americans as new immigrants. No one knows exactly how many came, but some think it was between 30,000 and 40,000.

At first, Canada would only help those who could show they had left the U.S. military. This changed in 1968. By May 22, 1969, Canadian officials said they would not ask about a person’s military status when they applied to stay. This decision caused debates in Canada.

The United States did not strongly object to Canada’s actions. Many American politicians saw Canada as a close friend and did not want to cause trouble. During this time, more people moved from the United States to Canada than ever before. In 1971 and 1972, Canada received more new residents from the United States than from any other country.

At first, a group called the Student Union for Peace Action helped these Americans. Later, many local groups across Canada offered support. One man, Mark Satin, wrote a guide called Manual for Draft-Age Immigrants to Canada in 1968.

Amnesty and repatriations

In September 1974, President Gerald R. Ford created a program that forgave those who had not followed the draft rules. To qualify, they had to perform community service. Then, in January 1977, President Jimmy Carter offered pardons to anyone who asked for one. This caused debate.

After the 1977 pardon, about half of the Americans in Canada stayed, while the other half returned to the United States. Some who went back had trouble finding jobs in Canada, while others felt they needed to stand up for their beliefs. Even without a pardon, most of those who sought safety in Canada eventually went back to the United States.

Assimilation

Main article: Americans in Canada

Those who decided to stay in Canada formed a noticeable community. Many were young and well-educated. Some famous people who moved to Canada after the Vietnam War include writer William Gibson, politician Jim Green, rights advocate Michael Hendricks, lawyer Jeffry House, author Keith Maillard, playwright John Murrell, television personality Eric Nagler, film critic Jay Scott, and musician Jesse Winchester. Others moved to Sweden or different countries.

People

Deserters

See also: Desertion

About one thousand people who did not want to fight in the Vietnam War went to Canada. The United States government has not forgiven them, and they could still be arrested if they go back to the United States.

Draft evaders

See also: Draft evasion

Many Americans moved to Canada to avoid being called for service in the Vietnam War. Some think many young men came to Canada during this time. Others believe even more young men avoided the war this way. In total, many Americans moved to Canada because they did not want to fight. This was a big movement of people leaving the United States for political reasons since the time of the American Revolution.

These young men were often well educated and did not agree with the Vietnam War. Many were from middle-class families and found it easier to live in Canada. Some who came from less wealthy backgrounds saw Canada as their only option.

Some of these men returned to the United States after a pardon in 1977, but many stayed in Canada.

Notable Vietnam War resisters in Canada

Deserters

• Andy Barrie - former host of Canadian Broadcasting Corporation Radio's Metro Morning in Toronto
• Michael Shaffer: After six months in the Army, he was told he would go to Vietnam. He refused and escaped to Canada in 1970. Later, he returned to the U.S. but was not treated as he hoped. With help, he was finally allowed to stay in Canada.
• Dick Cotterill
• Jack Todd – award-winning sports columnist for the Montreal Gazette
• Mike Tulley - Edmonton, Alberta area sound engineer and social activist

Draft evaders

• Mike Fisher – founding member of Heart, a famous rock/pop band
• William Gibson – science fiction writer and winner of a Nebula Award
• Jim Green – Vancouver city councillor and someone who wanted to be mayor
• Michael Hendricks – someone who worked for rights for gay people
• Jeffry House – lawyer who helped many activists
• Bill King – musician and organizer of Toronto's Beaches Jazz Festival
• Michael Klein – doctor and activist, husband of Bonnie Sherr Klein, father of Naomi Klein
• Keith Maillard – professor of creative writing at the University of British Columbia
• Eric Nagler – children's entertainer on The Elephant Show
• Wayne Robinson – father of Svend Robinson, a former Member of Parliament
• Jay Scott – film critic for The Globe and Mail
• Jesse Winchester – singer-songwriter
• Michael Wolfson – assistant chief statistician at Statistics Canada
• Alan Rinehart - musician and classical guitarist

Others

• Jane Jacobs – journalist and author