Jack Layton to Mark Redress with Head Tax Families

NDP Leader to Observe Seminal Redress Turnaround Moment

Vancouver BC - The Head Tax Families Society of Canada (HTFSC) is
encouraged Jack Layton, Leader of the federal New Democrats, will
observe the turnaround of the Chinese head tax/exclusion redress
struggle at a public forum. Invitees include the Leaders and Greater
Vancouver Members of Parliament of the four parties represented in the
House of Commons, the Leaders of parties and Members of the B. C.'s
legislature and elected officials from the three parties represented
at Vancouver city council.

When: 11:00am Saturday, November 25, 2006
Where: Chinese Cultural Center - Dr. David Lam Hall, 50 East Pender St, Vancouver

On November 26 last year, the ad hoc B. C. Coalition of Head Tax
Payers, Spouses and Descendants (BC Coalition) organised a march in
Chinatown to protest the federal government's "no apology, no
compensation" agreement. An information line was set up outside a
closed redress conference funded by the government at the Chinese
Cultural Center and a photo opportunity for Prime Minister Paul Martin
at United Chinese Community Enrichment Social Services (SUCCESS). This
action is considered a seminal moment in the redress struggle.

Several days later, the action manifested itself politically. Kanman
Wong and Darrell Reid, who were at the information line and subsequent
Conservative candidates in the 2006 federal election, joined
Conservative John Cummins MP (Delta-Richmond East) to break with the
party position. On December 8, 2005, with the federal election
underway, Conservative leader Stephen Harper promised action on
Chinese head tax/exclusion redress if elected.

The unilateral settlement imposed by the Government will directly
address only 0.6% of affected head tax families. Approximately 600
surviving head tax payers and spouses will receive $20,000 in ex
gratia payments. Over 82,000 Chinese families paid the unjust tax
between 1885 and 1923 in Canada and 1906 to 1949 in Newfoundland
before joining Confederation.

Subsequently, members of the BC Coalition formed the Head Tax Families
Society of Canada, a B. C. registered Society with a mandate from over
2,500 written claims for justice and honour for Chinese pioneer
families. An open membership and democratic Society, HTFSC continues
its mission of meaningful redress for head tax families.