Resettlement of southeast Asian refugees to Canada (1975-1999)
Photo: Murray Mosher
In 1975, following the fall of Saigon to North Vienamese forces, the largest reception and resettlement of refugees ever undertaken by Canada began.
From then through to 1999, close to 130,000 Southeast Asian refugees, including some 60,000 in 1979-80 alone, came to Canada from Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos.
Many current members of the CIHS played significant roles in this historic refugee movement, and the Society has curated a collection of information related to this initiative.
This timeline helps to place the events into their historical context.
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.
(McGill-Queen’s University Press)
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.
(McGill-Queen’s University Press)
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Historical Documents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.
Other links
A collection of other useful links for those interested in learning more about this refugee movement and its commemoration.