Parks Canada Minister Steven Guilbeault announced the designation of restrictions on Chinese immigrants as an event of historic significance under Parks Canada’s National Program of Historic Commemoration. .“This land, now known as Canada, was and continues to be shaped by the contributions of immigrants and indigenous peoples alike,” said Guilbeault in a Tuesday press release. .“The designation of the Exclusion of Chinese Immigrants as a national historic event, 100 years since its enactment, acknowledges the tragic injustice that Chinese Canadians suffered, while also offering an opportunity to reflect on the importance of combating anti-Asian racism.” .The Canadian government introduced the Chinese Exclusion Act to stop Chinese immigrants in 1923. This act was the culmination of widespread anti-Chinese racism and policies increasing in Canada since the 19th century. .For 24 years, the Chinese Exclusion Act imposed restrictions which affected families by prohibiting immigrant spouses and children from joining those in Canada. While the exact number is unknown, Canada allowed entry to fewer than 50 Chinese people while the act was in effect. .It required all Chinese people living in Canada to register with the government and to carry certificates with photo identification or risk fines, detainment, or deportation. It was repealed in 1947. .Former University of Calgary sociology professor Lloyd Wong and Chinese Canadians Together Foundation Chair, Action, Teresa Woo-Paw, said this designation “means for us that there is now an official memorialization of the grave historical injustice of the Chinese Exclusion Act acknowledging its xenophobia, human rights violation, racial discrimination, and systemic racism.”.“It hampered the development and engagement of the Chinese community and had an adverse impact on generations of Chinese families,” said Wong and Woo-Paw. .“Our hope is this memorialization will serve as a call for all Canadians and key institutions in Canada, to strengthen educational efforts which recognize the long-term impacts of this exclusionary legislation, and to be aware and to combat contemporary anti-Asian and anti-Chinese racism in Canada, while never forgetting the past.”.The release said the Canadian government through the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada commemorates significant people, places, and events which have shaped the country. It added sharing the stories helps foster understanding and reflection on the diverse histories, cultures, legacies, and realities of the present and past. .“The Government of Canada is committed to ensuring we have opportunities to learn about the full scope of our shared history, including the tragic and shameful periods that are part of our collective past,” said Guilbeault. .Independent Senators Group Sen. Yuen Pau Woo (British Columbia) told the Senate in February few Canadians are outright racists, but many hold bigoted views of Chinese people. .READ MORE: Senator say many Canadians hold stereotypical views of Chinese.Woo complained Chinese Canadians are expected to renounce China or be “seen as suspicious.” .“The number of unreconstructed racists is probably small, but they are aided and abetted by seemingly respectable folks who nevertheless feed racial animus by insinuating generalizations about Chinese people in Canada and the ills they are alleged to have brought to society," he said.
