Commemorate the 100th anniversary of Chinese Exclusion Act

Thousands of Chinese gathered in Ottawa, the capital of Canada, to commemorate the 100th anniversary of the Chinese Exclusion Act

Source: Red Maple News Network   Date: 2023-06-26 10:11:34  Click:  18800

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On the occasion of the 100th anniversary of the promulgation of Canada's "Chinese Exclusion Act", nearly 3,000 Chinese from several major cities in Canada gathered in Ottawa, the capital, and held a large gathering on Parliament Hill Square to review and reflect on this dark history of Canada. Together with representatives of the three levels of Canadian government present at the meeting, they voiced the voice of the Chinese: History must not be forgotten, and history must not repeat itself! 

The general organizers of this event are Zhang Jian and leaders of some associations from Ottawa, Montreal, and Vancouver.

Representatives of the three levels of government in Canada who attended this event included Canadian Senators Victor Oh and Yuen Pau Woo, who were also the initiators of this series of national "Chinese Exclusion Act" commemorative activities. Other dignitaries include members of Congress Shaun Chen, Chandra Arya, Senator Mary Jane McCallum, Ontario Provincial Member Vincent Ke, Deputy Mayor of Markham, Ontario, Michael Chan, City Councilor of Richmond Hill, Ontario Simon Cui et al.

Senator Mary Jane McCallum

MP Chandra Arya (right)
Canadian Prime Minister Trudeau pointed out in a written speech to this rally that the Chinese community in Canada should be treated better, but the reality is not the case, That's why the fight against anti-Asian racism, violence, and hatred must continue. This event provides an opportunity for all to reflect on the important contributions Chinese Canadians have made to Canada's history and prosperity, and to renew understanding of past mistakes in order to build a stronger, more inclusive, more just Canada for the benefit of the future and offspring.

Senator Victor Oh said in his speech that the promulgation and implementation of this unfair act in 1923 caused serious harm to Chinese Canadians and their families at that time, and it was the darkest page in the history of Chinese immigration in Canada.

He pointed out that 100 years later, brothers and sisters from various cities and regions in Canada gathered on Parliament Hill in Ottawa to participate in the reflection and commemoration activities, which fully demonstrated that unity is strength, and unity will lead to change. He hopes to defend his rights through everyone's efforts, and build a Canada that is more inclusive and diverse, equal and happy, free from discrimination.

Senator Yuen Pau Woo pointed out that yesterday was the day of remembrance, and today is the day of speaking out. The Chinese will speak out and exclusion will never happen again. Tomorrow and every day that follows, we all must act to ensure that Chinese Canadians, Asian Canadians, and all minority Canadians are not excluded in any modern form.

Federal MP Shaun Chen said: "You are here today, and I congratulate you because you are standing up, you are fighting for a better Canada, and fighting for a country where all people can belong. So let us never forget this shameful and humiliating part of Canadian history and let us continue to work together with all Canadians to build a better Canada. I thank you for being here today and it is something we all should remember Today, let us unite with all Canadians and stand together for a better country."

Vincent Ke said: "I am like everyone else today, I signed up in the group early, and then took the bus to Ottawa. I would like to thank all the Chinese Canadians present here to participate in this event, for a more inclusive, tolerant, peaceful, and friendly Canada in the future. So thank you, thank you.” 

Michael Chan, Deputy Mayor of Markham said: "I would like to thank the two current senators in particular. The first one is surnamed Hu(Oh), and the second one is also surnamed Hu(Woo). When you add two Hu and Hu together, it becomes powerful. Today is also a day to celebrate the success, tenacity, and perseverance of our Chinese community and their many contributions to Canada. They make Canada the best place in the world to live and raise a family. Let us continue to protect, protect our basic Rights, our freedom and dignity, so that Canada will continue to be a model country of harmony and peace, thank you all.” 

Chinese associations from Toronto and Ottawa performed Chinese martial arts, drums, waist drums, and other Chinese folk arts during the rally. The chorus of the Canadian song "Red River Valley", the popular Canadian song, opened the prelude to the mighty parade of thousands of people.

Holding up signs and Canadian flags, they were proud of their identities and proud of their culture.

The main slogans include: Chinese Canadians are Canadians, No to Racism, No Stigmatization, No Discrimination, My Vote is My Choice, Respect for David Johnston, etc.

Mr. Weng Guoning, Chairman of the Federation of Chinese Associations in Toronto, took a group photo with the leaders of the Fuqing Business Association. 

Senator Victor Oh took a group photo with fellow folks from Shandong.

The heavy rain in the weather forecast started almost at the same time as the parade. Feeling the good and bad of Canada,

they chanted slogans to express their hearts: "We are proud to be Chinese, Say No False Media Reporting, Stop Smearing Chinese Canadian Politicians, Stop Slandering Chinese Canadians" and other slogans echoed on Parliament Hill in Ottawa, A reminder that there are dark times in the sun.

The organizer of this event——[Reflection on Chinese Exclusion Act Centennial] Capitol Hill Rally Organizing Committee is composed of people from various Chinese communities. They don’t pay for fame and fortune, they contribute and serve silently to the community. The feat was made possible after months of meticulous preparation. We sincerely thank all the friends who contributed their hard work to this event!

Chairman Zhang Jian, chief planner, general convener, and chief commander of the event, said: "Dear friends! After more than three months of preparation, under the leadership of the two senators, in the "Organizing Committee of the Centennial Reflection on the Chinese Exclusion Act" With the joint efforts of everyone, the 6.24 Capitol Hill rally was successfully held!

These Chinese Canadians fought for the same equal rights as all ethnic groups in the country! To make their own voices in society! To show that the Chinese are not a mess! More than 3,000 people from different places in Vancouver, Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, and some thousands of miles away, came to Capitol Square, reflecting the unprecedented unity of the Chinese!

Everyone has put in a lot of hard work and effort for this event!

Special thanks to the sponsors who have dedicated themselves to this event! Hundreds of Donors! Especially the happy donation of the retired old people!

Thanks to each working group of our organizing committee! Special thanks to those voluntary workers and volunteers who don’t care about fame and fortune, earnestly, and work hard!

Thank you to all the friends who worked around and supported silently for the success of this event! There is no sign of you! No photos of you! But the "Organizing Committee" will not forget you! History will never forget you!

friends! Comrades! The 6.24 event is over. But promote Chinese unity! The fight for the legal rights of Chinese Canadians has just begun!

Our series of activities are still going on! The work of promoting the active participation, integration, and joint enrichment of Canadian multiculturalism by Chinese people has only just begun!

We still need to keep working hard! To achieve a better political and living environment in the wonderful land of Canada! Go mainstream for your own voice! Let more people know about us Chinese! Support us! There is more work to be done! There is a long way to go! Learn from the older generation of Chinese! Inspire a new generation and learn from other ethnic activists in society!

Learn from righteous, selfless, and brave civil rights activists of Chinese Canadians! Build a more united Chinese community and a positive Chinese image!

Once again, I would like to say to everyone: You have worked hard! You are so beautiful under the hot sun and in the rain! "

The organizing committee calls on the awareness of the whole society of the positive contributions made by the Chinese to Canada's economy, science and technology, and multiculturalism. It calls on Chinese Canadians to use their own actions to promote Canada's continuous progress and development, and calls on everyone to oppose any illegal and ugly activity of attacking the Chinese by fabricating stories without evidence to smear the Chinese.

Attachment: The cause and effect of the introduction of the "Chinese Exclusion Act"

In 1881, the population of British Columbia in western Canada was about 35,000. At that time, about 9,000 Chinese laborers built the last section of the Canadian Pacific Railway here. The Canadian government decided to impose a head tax on the Chinese in order to restrict the entry of Chinese. The Canadian government forcibly imposed a head tax of 500 Canadian dollars per person on these Chinese, which was equivalent to their two-year salary at that time. Moreover, this tax is only levied on Chinese immigrants from various countries entering Canada. From 1886 to 1923, the Canadian government made a profit of 23 million Canadian dollars, equivalent to 1.2 billion Canadian dollars in 2006 currency. Those who are taxed need to work for three to five years to pay back.

In 1923, the Canadian federal government decided to abolish the head tax and passed the new "1923 Chinese Immigration Act", which was implemented on July 1 of the same year. The law stipulates that all Chinese are not allowed to enter Canada except for the following examples. The Chinese allowed to enter Canada in the "1923 Chinese Immigration Act" are: businessmen, diplomatic officials, overseas students and special cases.

The law is not limited to Chinese citizens, and British Chinese are also prohibited from entering Canada. After the decree took effect, almost all Chinese could not enter Canada, including the relatives of Chinese laborers who had already lived in Canada. During the 24 years since the Act was implemented, only more than 20 Chinese entered Canada. In 1931, there were about 46,000 Chinese in Canada, with a male-to-female ratio of 13 to 1.

Because the "1923 Chinese Immigration Act" was implemented on the same date as Canada's National Day, the Chinese in Canada at that time called the National Day a "shame day" and refused to celebrate Canada National Day.

During World War II, many Chinese joined the army and donated money to fund the war against Axis. In view of the contribution of the Chinese Canadians to Canada in the Second World War and the constraints of the United Nations Charter, the Canadian Parliament abolished the "Chinese Immigration Act 1923" on May 14, 1947. However, Canada only opened its immigration policy in 1967, allowing Chinese to enter Canada as "independent immigrants".

(Source: Global Chinese, Chinese Hotspot)