First you have the Chinese that helped building the railroad 200 years ago.http://archives.cbc.ca/society/immigration/topics/1433/
Also here is something else I pasted :Immigrants bring innovative ideas, skills and the benefits of global experience to help build Canada’s economy. Many of them arrive here with the skills and education that Canadian businesses need to compete in the knowledge economy. Whether they have crossed just one border or travelled from afar, these nation builders have long been a valued part of the Canadian success story.