Sub-sub-series consists of registry files documenting most of the operations and policies of the Immigration service, 1946-1966. Subjects covered include immigration policy and law generally; departmental organization, administration and procedures; activities at Canadian ports of entry, overseas posts, and other field offices; policy and procedures in specific fields such as the selection and counselling of immigrants, immigration documentation, medical and security screening, transportation and settlement assistance, employment and citizenship, refugee status, and many others; liaison with other governments and private organizations; and the immigration of specific ethnic, national, religious and other minority groups.
No individual case files are included in the 500 block files. Many of the subject files do, however, contain incidental documentation on specific cases. Volumes 743-930 contain the main run of files. Volumes 689-692 document questions and answers in the House of Commons on various topics including individual immigrants' cases, immigration and emigration policy and statistics, US draft dodgers and deserters, and refugee issues from 1957-1970. Volumes 718-725 document (a) activities of the Immigration Inspection Service (notably the investigation of irregularities in the immigration of specific groups to Canada); and (b) preparations for the 1966 White Paper on immigration policy, mainly 1949-1971.
The 500 block files are subject-coded in to a duplex-numeric system. The first number, in the 500 block, indicates the general subject area, and the second a more specific subheading. There is often a third number indicating a specific geographic area, project or organization. Thus, file block 569 covers passport and visa regulations. File 569-1 covers passport and visa regulations policy and procedures generally; 569-2 to 569-4 cover specific subtopics; and block 569-9 covers passports and visa regulations of specific nations. (Thus, since "510" stands for Cambodia throughout the 500 block system, 569-9-510 is the file for Cambodian passport regulations).
