Hon. Alice Wong, P.C.

Vancouver, January 23, 2009 — The Government of Canada is launching four projects designed to reach out to youth and the Chinese community and raise awareness of the Chinese Head Tax and other measures that restricted Chinese immigration between 1885 and 1947. This announcement was made today by Parliamentary Secretary Alice Wong, on behalf of Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism.

The projects will also seek to honour the work of those who challenged discrimination and sought redress, while also celebrating the contributions of the Chinese-Canadian community that helped to build a strong and diverse Canada.

“The Head Tax and other immigration restrictions that affected Chinese-Canadians are an unfortunate chapter in our history and deserve recognition,” said Dr. Wong. “These projects will increase understanding of the impact of these policies on the Chinese-Canadian community.”

In June 2006, Prime Minister Stephen Harper offered a full apology to Chinese-Canadians for the Head Tax, expressing deep sorrow for the subsequent exclusion of Chinese immigrants and committing to raising awareness of these policies, which are inconsistent with the values that Canadians hold today.

Funded under the Community Historical Recognition Program (CHRP), the projects will be delivered by: Simon Fraser University, which will receive $200,000; the University of British Columbia, which will receive $50,000; the Metro Toronto Chinese and Southeast Asian Legal Clinic, which will receive $50,000; and the Toronto Community and Culture Centre, which will also receive $50,000.

The CHRP was announced in June 2006 as part of the Government of Canada’s comprehensive historical recognition program. This program funds community-based commemorative and educational projects that recognize the experiences of communities affected by historical wartime measures and/or immigration restrictions applied in Canada; and that promote the contributions of these communities to building this country. Eligible projects can include monuments, commemorative plaques, educational material and exhibits.

Please contact the CHRP by telephone at 1-888-776-8584 (toll free) or by electronic mail at CHRP-PRHC@pch.gc.ca for more information if you wish to submit a funding application in 2009.

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