THE ALIEN ENEMY REGISTRATION ORDINANCE
[P.A.C., RG2, 1, v.1324. PC 2721 of 28 October 1914]

The Committee of the Privy Council have had before them a report, dated 28th October, 1914, from the Minister of Justice, stating that it is expedient and necessary to take measures to prevent espionage and also to prevent alien enemies in Canada who are likely to render effective military assistance to the enemy from returning to the enemy's service, and to provide for the proper supervision and control of such aliens as may be so prevented from leaving Canada, and the detention under proper conditions and maintenance where required of such of said aliens as it may be found necessary to intern as prisoners of war, and that it is like- wise desirable considering the lack of opportunity for employment that aliens of enemy nationality who are not likely to add to the strength of the enemy's forces and who desire and have the means to leave the country be permitted to do so.
The Minister observes that it is considered probable that aliens of both classes will be found grouped in particular localities, principally within or in the immediate neighbourhood of the large cities and towns.
The Minister, therefore, recommends that it be enacted by the Governor in Council under the authority of the War Measures Act as follows:-
(1) One or more offices of registration shall be established in such cities, towns and other places as may be from time to time designated by the Minister of Justice, and an officer shall be appointed by the Governor in Council for each of the offices so established who shall be called "Registrars of Alien Enemies".
(2) The Registrars shall be under the immediate direction of the Chief Commissioner of Dominion Police who shall exercise general supervision over them in the performance of their duties and to whom they shall report as may be required. The Minister shall appoint such assistants to such registrars, clerks and other officers as may be necessary for the proper carrying out of the provisions of the present order.
(3) It shall be the duty of a registrar to examine each alien of enemy nationality attending before him, and to register in a book to be provided for the purpose the name, age, nationality, place of residence in Canada and in the country of nationality, occupation, desire or intention to leave Canada and the names of the wife and children (if any) in Canada of every such alien and such other particulars necessary for identification of such alien of enemy nationality or otherwise as may seem advisable.
(4) Every alien of enemy nationality residing or being within any of ~ the cities, towns or places so designated as aforesaid, or within twenty miles thereof, shall as soon as possible after the publication in the Canada
Gazette of a proclamation designating such city, town or place as one wherein a registry office is to be established under this ordinance, attend before the registrar or one of the registrars, for the city, town or place within or near which he is or resides and truly answer such questions with regard to his nationality, age, residence, occupation, family, intention or desire to leave Canada, destination, liability and intention as to military service, and otherwise, as may be lawfully put to him by the registrar.
(5) No alien of enemy nationality shall be permitted to leave Canada without an exeat from a registrar; provided that the Chief Commissioner of Dominion Police may in any case, grant or cancel an exeat to an alien of enemy nationality who is registered.
(6) The registrar may issue an exeat to an alien of enemy nationality if satisfied upon the examination and registry that such alien of enemy nationality will not materially assist, by active service, information or otherwise, the forces of the enemy.
(7) If it appears to the registrar that any alien of enemy nationality who is not permitted to leave Canada may consistently with the public safety be suffered to remain at large, such alien of enemy nationality shall be required to declare whether or not he desires and has the means to remain in Canada conformably to the laws and customs of the country, subject to obligation to report monthly to the Chief of Police of the city where or in the neighbourhood of which he is registered. If yea, such alien of enemy nationality may be permitted his liberty, subject to the conditions aforesaid and the provisions of this Ordinance. If nay, he shall be interned as a prisoner of war. The registrar shall report to the Chief of Police the names and addresses of those who elect to remain at liberty. ' Any alien of enemy nationality who in the judgment of the registrar cannot consistently with the public safety be allowed at large shall be interned as a prisoner of war.
(8) If any alien of enemy nationality who is by the terms of this ordinance required to register, fails to do so within one month after publication of the proclamation referred to in section 4 of this ordinance or within seven days after the date when he shall by reason of his residence come within the description of those required to register, which ever date shall be last, or if he refuse or fail to answer truly any of the questions put by the registrar, or if, being registered he fail to report as hereinbefore required or to observe any of the conditions on which he is permitted to be at liberty, he shall in addition to any other penalty to which he may be therefor by law liable, be subject to internment as a prisoner of war.
(9) Where any alien of enemy nationality interned under the
provisions of this order has wife or children living with and dependent on him, such wife and children shall be permitted to accompany him.
(10) Such provision as may be necessary for the maintenance of aliens of enemy nationality interned as prisoners of war shall be made by the Military authorities who may require such prisoners to do and perform such work as may be by them prescribed.
(11) No alien of enemy nationality who is required to register shall be naturalized unless in addition to other requirements he produces and ice files with his application a duly certified certificate of a registrar that he is registered pursuant to the provisions of this Ordinance, and that his or application for naturalization is approved by the registrar.