Immigration History
The thirteen-day Hungarian Revolution in October, 1956 and the brutal crushing of the revolt by Russian forces reverberated around the world. It was also a critical milestone in the relationship between Canada and Hungary. There are currently 350,000 people living in Canada who claim Hungarian ancestry. This wave of Hungarian immigrants, numbering 37,565, arrived to Canada in 1956-1957. During the crisis, Canadian government officials acted quickly and decided to accept the Hungarian refugees, to cover their travel expenses and help them settle with the assistance of civil organizations.
October 26th, 1956
The Prime Minister’s office of Louis St. Laurent receives 32 telegrams begging for action on behalf of a free Hungary.
October 28th, 1956
Five days after the Hungarian revolution began, the Security Council began debating a protest against Soviet armed intervention in Hungary filed by several Western countries, including Canada.
October 30th, 1956
Canadian Hungarian Relief Fund was established to administer the collection of money and to create a blood bank.
October 30th, 1956
The Legion for Freedom was formed in response to hundreds of telegrams, phone calls and letters received by relief organizers requesting the formation of an international brigade to aid Hungary.
October 30th, 1956
Prime Minister Louis St. Laurent wrote this letter to N.A. Bulganin, Chairman of the Council of Ministers of the Soviet Union, expressing the outrage of the Canadian people over events in Hungary.
By November 7th, 1956
Three days after the return of the Soviet forces to Hungary, more than 11,000 Hungarians had successfully sought sanctuary in Austria.
November 14th, 1956
“Hungarian Red Leader in Toronto Hides Out to Escape Vengeance.” Stephen Szoke, managing editor of the Hungarian language weekly Munkas has gone into hiding. — Toronto Daily Star
November 16th, 1956:
First Hungarian refugees reach Canada.
November 23rd, 1956
The largest movement of refugees into Austria took place on this single day, 8,537 Hungarians entered Austria.
November 27th, 1956
“Arrangements have been made to establish two reception centres in Toronto for all Hungarian refugees… they include medical and nursing facilities.”
By the end of November 1956
The number of refugees who left Hungary had surpassed 100,000.
November 1956
There was a shortage of young workers in every region of Canada, reflecting the low birth rate of the 1930’s and the unprecedented expansion of the economy. — The Globe and Mail, December 10, 1956
December 4th, 1956
“Pickersgill Cuts Red Tape: Refugee Applications processed one-a-minute” — The Toronto Telegram
December 4th, 1956
Resources at St. Elizabeth of Hungary Church in Toronto are “being taxed nearly to the breaking point… Rev. Simor estimates 50 people have taken work off or taken vacation time to help with resettlement of refugees.” — The Toronto Telegram
December 21st, 1956
“$100,000 Pledge Given Refugees by Universities” Canadian universities have pledged $100,000 to aid refugee university students. — The Globe and Mail
December 31st, 1956
New Year’s Eve message broadcast by the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation: L.B. Pearson admitted: “One thing in the record of 1956 is clear. When the free governments failed to work together we lost ground in our search for peace and stability and progress.”
February 1st, 1957
The Hungarian Refugee Students Centre of the National Conference of Canadian Universities began to operate in Montreal. Eventually, 658 students registered with the centre.
By June, 1957
Approximately 7,000 Hungarian refugees were received at the Toronto reception centres...most found jobs in Toronto.
It was the first large wave of refugees in the history of Canada, arriving in such relatively large numbers in a short period of time, who did not speak either English or French, Canada’s two official languages.