|
[ print friendly ]
Chinese Head Tax and Historical Recognition Initiatives
On June 22, 2006, on behalf of the Government of Canada, the Prime Minister apologized in the House of Commons for the implementation of the Chinese Head Tax. This Web page is regularly updated to provide information on initiatives related to the Chinese Head Tax and historical recognition initiatives.
Payments to Head Tax Payers 
On October 20, 2006, the Honourable Beverley J. Oda, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women, participated in a cheque presentation ceremony in Vancouver, British Columbia, for the first ex-gratia payments to Chinese immigrants who paid the Head Tax. These payments are subsequent to the official apology made by Prime Minister Stephen Harper on June 22, 2006, on behalf of the Government of Canada to Chinese Canadians for implementation of the Head Tax and subsequent exclusion of Chinese immigrants from 1923 until 1947 (1906 to 1949 in Newfoundland). The Honourable David Emerson, Minister of International Trade and Minister for the Pacific Gateway and the Vancouver–Whistler Olympics, accompanied Minister Oda at the announcement.
On August 29, 2006, the Honourable Beverley J. Oda, Minister of Canadian Heritage and Status of Women, announced that Chinese Head Tax payers living as of February 2006 who paid a Head Tax to enter Canada can now apply for ex-gratia symbolic payments of $20,000.
Obtain printed copies of the application form and applicant’s guide in English or French by phoning the Canadian Heritage Help Line at 1-888-776-8584 or by visiting a Service Canada Centre near you.
As a reference tool, application forms and the applicant’s guide are available in Chinese (traditional and simplified) by phoning the Department of Canadian Heritage. However, application forms must be completed in English or in French.
Original Announcement
On June 22, 2006, Prime Minister Stephen Harper issued an official apology for the Head Tax imposed on Chinese-Canadians. The Government also announced that it would make ex-gratia symbolic payments of $20,000 to living Head Tax payers and to persons in a conjugal relationship with a now-deceased Head Tax payer.
Also on June 22, 2006, the Minister of Canadian Heritage announced a $24-million Community Historical Recognition Program and a $10-million National Historical Recognition Program to commemorate and educate Canadians about the historical experiences and contributions of ethnocultural communities impacted by wartime measures and immigration restrictions.
Stay Updated
Submit your complete email address to receive notification of future updates to the Chinese Head Tax and Historical Recognition Initiatives Web pages.
| 
