Resettlement of southeast Asian refugees to Canada (1975-1999)

In 1975, Canada’s largest reception and resettlement of refugees began. From then through to 1999, close to 130,000 Indochinese refugees, including some 60,000 in 1979-80 alone, came to Canada from Viet Nam, Cambodia and Laos. The CIHS offers a range of information about that significant movement.

Running on Empty (2017)

The Society proudly announces the publication of ‘Running on Empty’, a study of the Southeast Asian ‘boat people’ movement (McGill Queen’s University Press) written by CIHS members. The book focuses on the work of Canadian public servants, both in Southeast Asia and in Canada, to deliver an unprecedented commitment to resettle 70,000 of the refugees before the end of 1980.

More information is available on the McGill-Queen’s University Press website.

French Text in Running on Empty

Hearts of Freedom (2025)

Another excellent book authored by CIHS members is ‘Hearts of Freedom: Stories of Southeast Asian Refugees’. It complements ‘Running on Empty’ by presenting the first-hand accounts of Vietnamese, Cambodian, and Laotian refugees who settled in Canada.

More information is available on the McGill-Queen’s University Press website.

Special Edition of the CIHS Bulletin (April, 2015)

To commemorate the 40th anniversary of the beginning of this unprecedented refugee movement (which began with the fall of Saigon in 1975), the CIHS published a special edition of its Bulletin. Different facets of this monumental undertaking are described by CIHS members, some of whom had direct involvement in the effort.

Historical Documents

The Society has curated a collection of links, documents, and other materials pertaining to the resettlement of Southeast Asian refugees to Canada.

Statistics and studies

This page contains links to statistics relating to the Canadian response in 1979 and 1980, as well as a study of the settlement outcomes of Vietnamese refugees who came to Canada.

Photo Albums

Many of the Canadian government personnel who participated in this refugee movement, as well as others, have shared their personal photographs.