The first permanent cultural space of its kind in Canada will feature more than 150 stories of early Chinese immigrants whose resilience against racism helped shape Chinatown.

A search warrant from the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) alleges 462 applicants to the provincial nominee program used Charlottetown homes belonging to two Chinese immigrants over the past four years as "addresses of convenience."

Canada's immigration minister says the country needs more newcomers, but as housing prices skyrocket in Vancouver and Toronto the government hopes to attract them to other cities.