BILL C-333: Chinese Canadian Recognition and Redress Act

First reading, November 15, 2004

Summary

The purpose of this enactment is to recognize and apologize for the treatment that early Chinese immigrants received despite the extraordinary contribution they made in the building of Canada, especially on the railways.

The enactment also provides for redress to be made in respect of the application of a head tax and the operation of The Chinese Immigration Act, 1923. The redress is to consist of the development and production of educational materials on Chinese Canadian history, the promotion of racial harmony and other projects agreed to with an educational foundation established for this purpose.

1st Session, 38th Parliament,
53 Elizabeth II, 2004
House of Commons of Canada
Bill C-333

An Act to recognize the injustices done to Chinese immigrants by head taxes and exclusion legislation, to provide for recognition of the extraordinary contribution they made to Canada, to provide for redress and to promote education on Chinese Canadian history and racial harmony


Preamble
  Whereas workers of Chinese origin made an extraordinary contribution in the building of the Canadian nation, particularly in the construction of the railways, and many of them died during their construction;

  Whereas, despite the contribution of early Chinese workers, Chinese immigrants were unjustly and uniquely assessed a head tax prior to 1923;

  Whereas Chinese were later discriminated against on the basis of ethnic origin by The Chinese Immigration Act, 1923;

  And Whereas it is necessary and timely for public recognition of these injustices and appropriate redress to be made in the form of public education;

Now, Therefore, Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Commons of Canada, enacts as follows:

Short title
1. This Act may be cited as the Chinese Canadian Recognition and Redress Act.

Recognition
2. The Parliament of Canada hereby recognizes and honours the contribution of Chinese immigrants, particularly in the construction of the Canadian railways.

Apology
3. The Parliament of Canada hereby acknowledges the unjust treatment of Chinese Canadians as a result of the head tax and The Chinese Immigration Act, 1923 and apologizes, on behalf of Parliament, the Government of Canada and the Canadian people of earlier times and of today, for the suffering it caused.

Agreement
4. (1) The Government of Canada shall negotiate an agreement for redress with the National Congress of Chinese Canadians, to be proposed to Parliament for approval.

Redress
(2) The redress shall consist of

(a) the establishment, in the manner agreed between the parties mentioned in subsection (1), of an educational foundation that shall have as its object the development and production of educational materials on Chinese Canadian history and on the promotion of racial harmony, and their distribution to schools, colleges and universities; and

(b) such other educational projects as are agreed to and are established in the manner agreed to between the Minister of Canadian Heritage and the foundation.