Halifax — Citadel & Waterfront
Pier 21
Listen at the stop, then read the transcript and follow the sources behind the story.
Listen
Transcript
Pier 21 operated as a major immigration terminal from 1928 to 1971. Around one million immigrants entered Canada through the facility, while hundreds of thousands of Canadian military personnel also departed through the port during the Second World War.
For many newcomers, Halifax was their first physical encounter with Canada.
The immigration story was never simply welcoming. Canadian policy selected migrants by race, nationality, occupation and political judgment. Some refugees were excluded even when the consequences were catastrophic.
After arrival, many migrants boarded trains westward, making the terminal part of a larger national transportation network.
Ports compress emotion: arrival, departure, separation and anticipation. This building processed those emotions administratively—with forms, inspections, queues and tickets.