Agreement-in-Principle to Highlight Chinese Canadians' Contribution to Building Canada

The agreement-in-principle represents a first step in articulating a shared vision for the acknowledgement, commemoration, and education of Canadians about the experiences of Chinese Canadians impacted by immigration restrictions in Canada and in highlighting the contributions that the Chinese-Canadian community has made to the building of Canada.

"Canada is a cohesive country that recognizes its cultural and ethnic diversity as a source of strength and innovation," said Minister of State Chan. "However, we understand that certain historical actions are not in keeping with present-day Canadian values. Today's agreement-in-principle between the Government of Canada and representatives of the Chinese-Canadian community demonstrates our shared commitment to prevent such incidents from ever happening again and to build a better and more open society."

The agreement-in-principle is part of the Government of Canada's Acknowledgement, Commemoration, and Education (ACE) Program: a three-year, $25-million initiative first announced in the February 2005 budget. Today's agreement-in-principle provides an initial amount of $2.5 million for the Chinese-Canadian community, subject to the finalization of Program details.

The ACE Program will consider and fund eligible proposals that acknowledge the historical experiences of ethnocultural communities impacted by wartime measures and immigration restrictions, such as the head tax imposed on immigrants of Chinese origin from 1885 to 1923 under the Chinese Immigration Act and the imposition of other exclusionary immigration measures, pursuant to the Chinese Immigration Act, 1923, which lasted until 1947. Initiatives funded through the Program will seek to highlight the contributions made by impacted communities to the shaping of Canada's history.

"The signing of this agreement-in-principle is one of the most significant milestones in the history of the Chinese community in Canada. We are pleased that the personal suffering and untold hardships endured by the thousands of Head Tax Payers of head tax and their families resulting from the Government of Canada's discriminatory immigration policies implemented against the Chinese are now officially acknowledged and that the community can begin to properly commemorate the contribution of the Head Tax Payers to the building and development of Canada. The Chinese community stands united in the cause of educating all Canadians about this tragic period in our history and is dedicated to ensuring that these types of actions will never be repeated against any other group in our society," said Ping T. Tan, Executive Co-Chair of the National Congress of Chinese Canadians. "We would like to commend everyone associated with the successful completion of this agreement-in-principle, especially Prime Minister Martin, Minister of State Raymond Chan, and Member of Parliament Inky Mark, for their leadership, courage, and hard work on this issue."

The Government of Canada and the Chinese-Canadian community agree to continue to work together towards a formal agreement to help build better understanding among all Canadians of the strength of our diversity.

Funding for this initiative was provided for in the February 2005 federal budget and is therefore built into the existing fiscal framework.

Information:

Roy Bornmann
Office of the Minister of State (Multiculturalism)
(819) 997-9900

Jean-Guy Beaupré
Chief, Media Relations
Canadian Heritage
(819) 997-9314

Backgrounder

Government of Canada's Acknowledgement, Commemoration and Education (ACE) Program

In its February 2005 Budget, the Government of Canada committed $25 million over three years for acknowledgement, commemorative, and educational initiatives to highlight the contributions that ethnocultural groups historically impacted by wartime measures and/or immigration restrictions have made to Canadian society and to help Canadians build a better understanding of these experiences and contributions.

These funds will flow through the Acknowledgement, Commemoration, and Education (ACE) Program, which will be administered by the Multiculturalism Program of the Department of Canadian Heritage.

The ACE Program approach acknowledges that wartime measures and immigration restrictions affected many ethnocultural groups. While the Government of Canada cannot rewrite history, it can work to build a cohesive and inclusive society for all Canadians. The Government of Canada is committed to working with all communities to strengthen cohesion and Canadian identity. By encouraging Canadians to learn about our past, we can build a better foundation for our future.

The ACE Program will be open to all impacted communities and will fund proposals that:

1. Help commemorate the historical experience of communities impacted by wartime measures and immigration restrictions and educate Canadians about these experiences
2. Highlight and commemorate the contributions that impacted communities have made to Canada
3. Promote cross-cultural understanding and a shared sense of Canadian identity

Backgrounder

Represented Organizations

The agreement-in-principle was signed by the National Congress of Chinese Canadians, the Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Toronto, the Montréal Chinese Cultural Centre, and the Chinese-Canadian Military Museum Society. S.U.C.C.E.S.S., the Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Vancouver, the Alberta Cultural Community Committee, the Winnipeg Chinese Cultural Centre, the Chinese Benevolent Association of Canada, the Chinese Freemasons of Canada, and the Chinese Benevolent Association of Vancouver officially supported the agreement.

They represent many other organizations across Canada, including:

• Alberta Chinese Community Congress
• Alberta Chinese Cultural Society of Edmonton
• Alberta Fukienese Association
• Alberta Hai Quang Ninh Community Association
• Alberta Kaiping District Association
• Alberta Kwan Ying Athletic Club
• Alumni Association Of School For Overseas Chinese Students In China
• Amite Chinsoise
• Army, Navy & Air Force Veterans in Canada
• Asia Pacific Accord of Canada
• Assist Community Services Center
• Association Chao Chaw du Québec Canada
• Association chinoise des aînés
• Association des bénévoles Huagaung
• Association chinoise du Cambodie au Canada
• Association Wong Wun Sun
• Beijing Association of Canada
• Bejing Friendship Ass'n of Canada
• Buddhism Enrichment & Community Service Center of Alberta
• Calgary Chinatown Arts Society
• Calgary Chinese Canadian for China Reunification
• Calgary Chinese Cultural Society
• Calgary Chinese Cultural Society Chinese Language School
• Calgary Chinese Freemasons
• Calgary Chinese Freemasons Athletic Club
• Calgary Chinese Herbal Medicine Association
• Calgary Haian Association
• Calgary Vietnam Chinese Association
• Canada Asia Assoc.
• Canada China Bussinecs Association
• Canada China Friendship Society of Edmonton
• Canada Chinese Business Association.
• Canada Chinese Business Development Ass'n
• Canada Rock Association
• Canada Shanghai Fraternity Association
• Canada United Hakka Association
• Canada-China Business Ass'n
• Canada-China Friendship Society of Edmonton
• Canada-China Society of Science and Tech
• Canada-China Sport Club
• Canadian Asia-Pacific Association of Industry & Commerce
• Canadian Chinese Gao Deng Yuan Xiao Alumni Association
• Canadian Ging Wu Kung-fu Martial Art Association
• Canton Association
• Chamber of Chinese Herbal Medicine of Canada
• Chan Wing Chun Tung
• Chao Chow Association of Ontario Canada
• Chao Chow Community Benevolent Society
• Chaozhou Association
• Chau Luen Society of Vancouver
• Chee Dack Gen Tong Society
• Cheng Wing Yeong Tong
• Chin Wing Chun Tong
• Chin Wing Chun Tong Society of Canada
• China Oversea's Student Association
• China Qinghai Backhome Association
• China Unification Promotion Council
• Chinese Comm. Association of Ottawa
• Chinese Alliance for Newcomers to Canada
• Chinese Association of NFLD & LAB
• Chinese Association of Montreal Inc.
• Chinese Benevolent Association of Canada
• Chinese Benevolent Association of Vancouver
• Chinese Canadian Association of PEI
• Chinese Canadian Friendship Association
• Chinese Canadian Women Cooperation Council
• Chinese Canadian Women's Friendship Association
• Chinese Canadian Writers' Association
• Chinese Catholic Community
• Chinese Community Center of Ontario
• Chinese Community Library Services Ass'n
• Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association
• Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Vancouver
• Chinese Culture Center of Greater Toronto
• Chinese Dramatic Club of Edmonton
• Chinese Entrepreneurs Society of Canada
• Chinese Family Service of Greater Montreal
• Chinese Federation of Commerce of Canada
• Chinese Free Masons
• Chinese Free Wemen Society
• Chinese Freemason Lodge
• Chinese Freemasons
• Chinese Freemasons Athletic Club
• Chinese Freemasons of Toronto
• Chinese Graduates Association of Alberta
• Chinese Masonic Athletic
• Chinese Nationalist League Edmonton Chapter
• Chinese Penjing Society
• Chinese Professional Women Of Canada
• Chinese Professionals Association Of Canada
• Chinese Restaurant Associations of Quebec
• Chinese Senior Citizens' Association
• Chinese Seniors Health And Recreation Association Of Ontario
• Chinese Society of Nova Scotia
• Chinese Tai Chi Chuan Ass'n of Canada
• Chinese United Community Society of Lethbridge
• Chinese Universities Alumni Ass'n of Van.
• Chinese Voluntere Association of Quebec
• Chinese Welfare Association
• Chiu Chow Ben. Association
• Chiu Lon Association
• Chiu's Clansmen Association of Eastern Canada
• Chow's Society of Edmonton
• Chung-Ai Photographic Society
• Commercial Association of North America
• Confederation of Toronto Chinese Canadian Organizations
• Dart Coon Club
• Deng Gao Mih Association Of Canada
• Dok Sing School Alumni Ass'n
• Doo Ching County Club
• Eastern Ont., Hoy Sun Association
• Edmonton Beizing Opera
• Edmonton Chao Chow Benevolent Association
• Edmonton China Alliance for peace unity society
• Edmonton China Town Neighborhood Society
• Edmonton Chinatown Multicultural Center
• Edmonton Chinese Chess Association
• Edmonton Chinese Engineers Society
• Edmonton Chinese Garden Society
• Edmonton Chinese Lions Club
• Edmonton Chinese News
• Edmonton Chinese Senior Lodge
• Edmonton Chinese Senior Recreation Society
• Edmonton Lee's Community Assoc.
• Edmonton Vietnam Chinese Association
• Eng Suey Sun Association
• Eng Suey Sun Association of Ontario
• Federation of Chinese Canadian Professionals
• Federation of Chinese Canadians in Markham
• Federation of Chinese Students & Professionals in Canada
• Flying Tigers Athletic Association
• Fong Leun Tong Society
• Four Seas Holding Trading Rental
• Friend's Club
• Fui Toong On Society
• Fujian Community Association of Canada
• Fujian General Association of Canada
• Fukienese Association of Calgary
• Fukinese Association of Alberta
• Fung Choy Cnoy School Alumni Ass'n
• Fuzhou Association
• Fuzhou Association of Canada
• Gee How Oak Tan Association
• Gee How Oak Tin Association
• Gee's Fraternai Society
• Gee's Society of Edmonton
• Goh Ballet Academy
• Gold Age Center of China Town
• Golden Phoenic Singing Club
• Hakka Tsung Tsin Association of Edmonton
• Heshan Association of B.C.
• Hllum Quong Yea Tung Society
• Hoi Yin Association of Ontario
• Hon Hsing Athletic Club
• Hong Kong Merchants' Ass'n of Canada
• Hong Luck Kung Fu Club
• Hoo Tow Society
• Hoy Chou Society
• Hoy Clansman Association
• Hoy Ping Benevolent Association
• Hoy Ping Middle School Alumni Ass'n
• Hoy Sun Association of Quebec
• Hoy Sun High School Alumni Ass'n of Can.
• Hoy Sun High School Alumni Association
• Hoy Yin Association of Canada
• Huai Yin Association of Ontario
• Hualian Seniors Mutual Aid Society
• Hubei Association of Canada
• Hum Yuea Yuen Tong
• Hum's B.S.Asssociation
• Hunan Chinese Association
• Hung Fung Athletic Club
• Hung Hsing-Choy Lee Fut Federation of Can.
• Indochina Chinese Senior Citizens Association of Edmonton
• Ing Suey Sun Tong Association
• International Center
• International Dragon Boat Festival Montreal
• International Federation of Praying Mantis Martial Arts Organizations
• Jiangsu Benevolent Association of Canada
• Jiazhong Economy Trade And Culture Exchange Association
• Jin Wah Sing Musical Association
• Kai Ping Association
• Ken Low's Shaolin Kung Fu Institute
• Kin Fung Athletic Association
• Ko Lui Benevolent Ass'on of Can.
• Kong Chow Ben. Ass'n of Can.
• Kwan Lung Sai Tong
• Kwanghai Society of Vancouver
• Kwong Hoi Leun Hop Wai Association
• Lam Si Ho Tong Society
• Lao Chinese Association of Edmonton
• Lee's Association of Montreal
• Lee's Association of Vancouver
• Lee's Athletic Society
• Lee's Benevolent Association of Canada
• Leung's Benavolent Association
• Lew Mow Way Tong
• Lim Sai Hor Kow Mock Ben. Ass'n
• Lorita Leung Chinese Dance Studio
• Lower Mainland Independent Grocers Ass'n
• Lung Jen Ben. Association
• Mah Athetic Club
• Mah Benevolent Society
• Mah Society of Canada
• Mah Society of Ontario
• Mah's Society of Edmonton
• Man Shau Association
• Manchuria Friendship Association
• Manitoba Academy of Chinese Studies
• Manitoba China Times
• Manitoba Chinese Language and Art Institute
• Manitoba Great Wall Music Association
• Manitoba Great Wall Music Association
• Manitoba Musical Association
• Manitoba Tribute
• Medicine Hat Chinese Fellowship Association
• Meizhou Hakka Society of Canada
• Metro Toronto Chinese Golden Age Society
• Ming Sun Benevolent Society
• Montreal Chinese Chamber of Commerce
• Montreal Chinese Community United Center
• Montreal Chinese Presbyterian Church
• Nam Yong Tong Association
• National Congress of Chinese Canadians (Atlantic Region in Nova Scotia)
• National Congress of Chinese Canadians (Quebec Region)
• Ngai Lum Musical Society
• North China Association
• Ontario Chee Tuck Association
• Ontario Chinese Restaurant Association
• Ontario Federation of Chinese Martial Arts Organization
• Ottawa Chinese Culture Academy
• Ottawa Chinese Community Service Centre
• Ottawa Dongbei Association
• Ottawa Lung Kong Association
• Ottawa Mandarin School
• Ottawa Senior Chinese Association
• Oversea Chinese Recreational Athletic Association
• Photographic Arts Society of Alberta
• Pon Cultural Society of Alberta
• Poon Yue Society
• Quebec-Taiwan Business and Culture Association
• Richmond Asia Pacific Business Ass'n
• Roc Veteran Association in Quebec
• S. Yuen Tong
• S.U.C.C.E.S.S.
• Sam Duck Society
• Sam's Association
• Shandong Natives Association
• Shanghai Friendship Ass'n of Canada
• Shao Lin Hung Gar Kung Fu
• Shar Doey Mutual Society
• Shon Yee Athletic Div.
• Shon Yee Ben. Ass'n of Canada
• Sichuan Association
• Sino Can Business Council of Canada
• Sino Can Medicine & Health Association
• Sino-Alliance for Democratic Reform in Canada
• Sino-Quebec Centre of South Shore
• Soo Yuen Tong Seciety of Canada
• Strathcona Chinese Dance Co.
• Sun Bright Art Society
• Sun Ling School Of Dance
• Sun Wai Association
• Taiwan Universities Alumni
• Tam's Benevolent Association
• Tea Chew Association of Manitoba
• Tea Chew Association of Manitoba
• Teo Chow Society of Vancouver
• The Association of Lau Clansman of Canada
• The Canadian Academy of Chinese Traditional Health Sciences
• The Chinese Canadian Military Museum Society
• The Chinese Immigrants Association of Ontario
• The Chinese Lingual-Cultural Centre of Canada
• The Chinese Medicine & Acupuncture Assn
• The Chionese Medicine And Acupuncture Association of Quebec, Canada
• The Dr. Sun Yat-Sen Garden Society of Van.
• The Hainan Association Of Ontario
• The Hunan Fellow Association
• The Native of Tol Shan Ben. Society
• The TEO Chew Society of Vancouver, Canada
• The Van. Chinese Freemasons
• The Vancouver Dart Coon Club
• Toi Shan Society of Alberta
• Toronto Canadian Chinese Photographers Centre
• Toronto Chinese Canadian Association
• Toronto Chinese Freemasons
• Toronto Flying Tiger Sport Association
• Toronto Hongmen Daquan Club
• Toronto Hongmen Sports Club
• Toronto Hongmen Zhenhongsheng Opera Club
• Tse Clansmen Association
• Tsung Tsin Association of Ontario
• Tung Koon Ben. Ass'n of Canada
• University of Toronto Association Of Chinese Students And Scholars.
• Vancouver Chinatown BIA Society
• Vancouver Chinatown Merchants Ass'n
• Vancouver Chinese Elderly Citizen's Ass'n
• Vancouver Fujianese Friendship Ass'n
• Vancouver Tsung Tsin Association
• Vietnam-Chinese Community Services Ass'n
• Vietnamese Cambodian Laotian Communtiy Services Association
• Vietnamese Chinese Association
• Vietnamese Chinese Association
• W.C.C.C.C.
• Wang Ballet Academy
• Western Canada Chinese Martial Arts Ass'n
• Winnipeg Chinatown Non profit Housing Corporation
• Winnipeg Chinese Cultural and Community Centre
• Wong Ha Atnletic Ass'n
• Wong Kung Har Wun Sun Association of Ontario
• Wongs Benevolent Ass'n
• Wong's Benevolent Association
• Xi Bei Friendship Association
• Yan's Fraternal Society
• Yee Fung Toy Society of Montreal
• Yee's Society
• Yin Pin Benevolent Society of Canada
• Yin Ping High School Alumini
• Yue Shan Society
• Yun Nan Fellows Association
• Zhanjiang Benevolent Ass'n of Canada
• Zhanmao Benevolent Association General of Canada(Toronto)
• Zhongshan Allied Association
• Zhongshan Secondary Sch. Alumini Ass'n

Backgrounder

Agreement-in-Principle With the Chinese Canadian Community

For the Government of Canada:

• The Honourable Raymond Chan, P.C., M.P., Minister of State (Multiculturalism)

For the Chinese Canadian Community:

• Ping T. Tan, Executive Co-Chair, National Congress of Chinese Canadians
• Howe Lee, President, Chinese Canadian Military Museum Society
• Man Wai Yu, Vice-President, Montréal Chinese Cultural Centre
• Lena Wong, Vice-President, Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Toronto

Declaration of Support for the Agreement-in-Principle

• Jack W. Lee, Co-Chair, National Congress of Chinese Canadians (Québec)
• Kitty Mar, President, Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Vancouver
• K.W. Chang, President, Alberta Cultural Community Committee
• Yung Quon Yu, Vice-President, Chinese Benevolent Association of Canada
• Joseph Du, President, Winnipeg Chinese Cultural Centre
• Chuck Chang, President, Chinese Freemasons of Canada
• Tak Nam Foo, Interim CEO, S.U.C.C.E.S.S. Social Service Centre
• David Lai, Co-Chair, National Congress of Chinese Canadians (Victoria, B.C.)
• James J.K.C. Kwan, Chinese Benevolent Association of Canada
• John Lum, Director, Shon Yee Benevolent Association of Canada
• Steve Yang, President, Regina Chinese Business Association
• Hughes Eng, Chair, Confederation of Toronto Chinese Canadian Organizations

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