Ontario NDP commemorates the 100th Anniversary of the enactment of the Chinese Exclusion Act

TORONTO – The Leader of Official Opposition, Marit Stiles, and NDP MPPs Jessica Bell (University – Rosedale), Chris Glover (Spadina – Fort York), Peter Tabuns (Toronto – Danforth), and Kristyn Wong-Tam (Toronto Centre) hosted a breakfast reception to commemorate the 100th Anniversary of the enactment of the Chinese Exclusion Act today. It was held on the rooftop of Toronto City Hall to welcome guests who attended the unveiling of the commemorative plaque for the Chinese Exclusion Act.

July 1st is also Canada Day, a day not only to celebrate our nation but also reflect on our history. The Chinese Immigration Act, 1923, also known as the Chinese Exclusion Act, was a discriminatory act that banned all Chinese immigration, solely based on ethnicity.

“Where City Hall is today was once Toronto’s first Chinatown,” Stiles said. “The Ontario NDP caucus stands in solidarity with the Chinese Canadian communities. It is important for us to remember history, learn the lessons, and not to repeat the same mistakes again. This is especially important when we have seen the rise of anti-Asian racism in the past few years. At the same time, it is also such a powerful moment that 100 years from this dark chapter of our history, we have our first Chinese Canadian mayor in Toronto. We have made progress, and we can do better.”

In 2022, NDP MPPs Lise Vaugeois, Jill Andrew, and Laura Mae Lindo introduced a bill to include education on anti-Asian racism in schools, so our future generations can learn from an early age that any kind of prejudice is unacceptable. In 2021, MPPs Bhutila Karpoche, Jessica Bell, Chris Glover, and Terence Kernaghan introduced a bill to formally recognize May 10th each year as the Day of Remembrance and Action Against Anti-Asian Racism. In 2006, MPP Peter Tabuns put forward a resolution to recognize June 22 as the Chinese Canadian Head Tax Redress Day. The resolution passed unanimously.

QUOTES

“Starting in the mid 19th century, Chinese labourers were brought over to build the Canadian Pacific Railway, one of the most important pieces of infrastructure in Canadian history. Then the classic anti-immigrant behavior started: I want your labour, but not you as a person. The Canadian government completely banned the immigration of people of Chinese heritage, regardless of their country of origin. We need to remember this lesson: discrimination in any form is never acceptable.” - MPP Kristyn Wong-Tam

“I’m proud to stand in solidarity with members of the Chinese Canadian communities here today. The 100th Anniversary of the enactment of the Chinese Exclusion Act is an important date to reflect on the history. It is also a time to renew our commitment to solidarity and activism. The downtown Chinatown is in my riding, and during the pandemic, my office received many phone calls from small business owners that they had been targets of racist harassments. My office has worked closely with the Chinatown BIA to support their efforts to make Chinatown a safe and thriving place for business and residents.” - MPP Jessica Bell

“For over a century and a half, the Chinese community has made incredible contributions to our province. We need to remember this dark chapter in Canada’s history and the sacrifices that Chinese workers made to build the railroad that unites Canada. We must commit to continue fighting anti-Asian racism in our communities, our province, and our country.” - MPP Chris Glover

“My riding of Toronto—Danforth is home to Toronto’s East Chinatown and many Chinese Canadians. I talk with community members and small business owners on a regular basis. The community supports each other through very hard times, including the pandemic. They are our neighbours, and we support our neighbours.” - MPP Peter Tabuns