Post-Loyalist Settlement II (1830 - 1867)

An act to repeal certain Acts [regarding British emigrants to Lower Canada], probably circa 1849 (About taxes on new emigrants, and certain emigrants who were not allowed into the province, like the mentally ill.)

Document Summary:

This tax reduced the indiscriminate tax on new immigrants from 10 shillings per person to a more reasonable rate of about seven shillings per adult and five shillings per child between the ages of five and fifteen. The tax was dropped for all children aged five and under. This act also increased tax rates to 40 shillings for new arrivals who were not on a ship's passenger list.

Passengers could not leave the ship until their duties were paid.

Particularly of note in this act, however, is that ship captains were now to provide a list of travelers who might become a "public charge" or drain on society. These included people whom were deaf, dumb, blind, infirm or mentally ill. The captain also had to note if a relative or family member was accompanying these passengers. Any captain or captain failing to report such persons could be charged a fine of between five and 25 shillings per affected traveler.

Also, the ship captain had to keep a list of those who passed away, if any, during the ship's voyage.

A medical superintendent had the power to board ships and examine passengers.

This act additionally placed fines upon ships that docked away from a port's usual disembarking point or docked at unusual hours.

The money raised from the taxes in this act was to be used to defray the medical expenses of diseased arrivals and help destitute immigrants.