T
he SS Nieuw Amsterdam docked at
Pier 21, a brand-new immigration
facility in Halifax, Nova Scotia, on
March 8, 1928. Fifty-one passengers
disembarked, the first of nearly a million
immigrants who would pass through
Pier 21’s doors over the next four
decades.
Before Pier 21 was built, immigrants
who landed at Halifax were received
at Pier 2. Compared to its predecessor,
Pier 21 was modern and spacious. Its
facilities included immigration offices,cutting-edge hospital and quarantine
areas, detention quarters, and jail cells.
Freight was unloaded on the lower
level, and passengers were received on
the upper level. A large sign that read
“WELCOME HOME TO CANADA” greeted
newcomers as they arrived.
New arrivals waited in a reception
area for their turn to meet with
immigration and customs officials, who
checked their documents and luggage
to make sure everything was in order.
Once they’d passed inspection, sea-by Rebecca SzulhanWelcome
to Canada
Home
A group of children
are cared for by
Red Cross workers
at Pier 21.