Category Archives: Chinese Head Tax issues + Gim Wong's Ride for Redress

Did the Chinese Canadian Head Tax/Exclusion issue make a difference?

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Did the Chinese Canadian Head Tax/Exclusion issue make a difference?

Chinese media carried the head tax issue almost daily since Nov. 26th, 2005.  According to year end top ten lists.  It was the number one issue in Chinese Canada, and it was included on top ten issues for Chinese around the world.

As of Canada's election results, Raymond Chan the former Minister of State for Multiculturalism, and who introduced the ACE Agreement-in-Principle, is still trying to do damage control by stating that the Chinese Canadians still voted him in office and that the head tax issue wasn't that big an issue. 

But the numbers don't lie.  The Tory polls swung upwards immediately after Paul Martin made what appeared to be an insincere personal apology for head tax redress.  The Liberals are now out of office.  The NDP led the charge for a proper apology and redress, and their numbers doubled in BC, and increased across the country.  The Conservatives supported an apology and direct compensation for surviving head tax payers, and their numbers increased.  The Bloc supported head tax redress and their numbers increased.

Raymond Chan may have won “first past the post” but Conservative Darrel Reid was only 1, 821 votes behind Chan's 18,107 votes.  NDP Neil Smith garnered 5,944 votes and Green Party Richard Matias snagged 1,916, more than enough that could have combined with Reid's to overtake Chan.  But to be fair, Chan fought a close battle to retain his seat in Parliament.  He had a good campaign that responded quickly to both the Chinese and English language press.  He is the only Chinese Canadina MP in Vancouver's Lower Mainland, and you can bet all of the different groups in the community will be asking him to be accountable for issues important to the Chinese Canadian community – no matter how broad the community really is.

The only Liberals in BC who won by large numbers were Ujjal Dosanjh, David Emerson and Stephen Owen, who together spoke out against Chan's line in the sand, and found the 2nd opinion regarding legal liabilitiy of an apology and forced Chan to change his tune.

If the head tax redress wasn't an issue, then why did Paul Martin issue a personal apology and reverse his party's decision to originally not issue an apology in the House of Commons?

The following is an analysis breakdown by by Victor Wong of the Chinese Canadian National Council, to which I have added some extra comments.

Incumbents
were by and large re-elected last night. in BC, Paul Forseth was the
only incumbent MP (Conservative) who was defeated (by NDP's Dawn Black,
herself a former MP); however many prominent Liberal incumbents in
other regions lost:
Anne McLellan, Pierre Pettigrew, Liza Frulla, Jacques Saada, Tony Ianno, Sarmite Bulte, Reg Althingy and others.

Liberal Ministers with Head tax file (indicated retraction over course of campaign):
Paul Martin (Prime Minister): reduced margin
Liza Frulla (Minister of Women's issues): defeated
Raymond Chan (Minister of Multi-culturalism): reduced margin
Sam Bulte (Parliamentary Secretary): defeated

other Liberal Ministers:
Tony Ianno (did not support redress): defeated
Anne McLellan (online comments did not support redress): defeated
Jacques Saada (told Walter last summer, no individual redress): defeated
Reg Althingy (racial gene pool comment last summer): defeated

other Liberals:
Hedy Fry (does not support redress and made comment about “those people with their little issues”): reduced margin

Liberal Ministers who were more open to apology (ie. all stated a support for 'inclusive process') ( All these (now former) senior Liberal cabinet Ministers won by wide margins ):
Ujjal Dosanjh (former Health Minister)
David Emerson (former Minister of Industry)
Stephen Owen (former Minister of Western Diversification)

Will Harper keep his pledge for Head Tax Redress? Chinese Canadian groups are asking him!

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Will Harper keep his pledge for Head Tax Redress?  Chinese Canadian groups are asking him!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

 
VANCOUVER/TORONTO/MONTREAL, January 24, 2006:
Chinese Canadian groups across Canada are asking Prime Minister Elect
Stephen Harper to immediately make good on his pledge to apologize for
62 years of legislated racism under the Head Tax and Exclusion Acts by
making a public statement on behalf of the government of Canada on or
before Chinese Lunar New Year on January 29, 2006. This is to be
followed by a Parliamentary Resolution once the House of Commons is
recalled.
 
“The
country turns to a new chapter in our political life just before the
Chinese New Year. It would be a most auspicious time for the Government
of Canada to start the process of reconciliation with Chinese Canadians
and start the New Year in the spirit of unity and mutual respect.” said
Joseph Wong, founder of the Chinese Canadian National Council.
 
In
response to the demands made by the Ontario Coalition of Chinese Head
Tax Payers and Families (Ontario Coalition), along with the B.C.
Coalition of Head Tax Payers, Spouses and Descendents (B.C. Coalition),
Chinese Canadian Redress Alliance and
the Chinese Canadian National Council (CCNC), the Conservative Party,
the NDP and the Bloc Quebecois committed in writing to support the
Parliamentary Resolution to apologize, direct redress for the 250
surviving head tax payers and spouses, rescinding of the $2.5 million
deal under the ACE program and open, transparent and inclusive
consultations and negotiations with head tax families and the broader
Chinese Canadian community as to the nature and extent of redress.
 
“We
are calling on the new Harper Government to honour its election pledge
and the opposition parties to join in ensuring that immediate action is
taken before it is too late for the surviving head tax payers and
spouses.” said Avvy Go, member of Canadians for Redress and counsel for
the Ontario Coalition. “All the excuses about legal liability given by
the Liberal government have been put to rest, first by the courts, and
now by the voters.”
 
All
federal political parties were pushed to take a stand on this important
issue with more than 1 million Chinese Canadians – who account for 3.5%
of the total population and for as much as 40% of constituents in
several key ridings, particularly in British Columbia and Ontario. According to Statistics Canada, 40% of Chinese Canadians live in the Toronto area, while 33% live in the Vancouver area.
 
“It
was clear that head tax redress quickly became an election issue which
politicians ignored at their peril.” said Susan Eng, co-chair of the
Ontario Coalition. “Head tax redress galvanized Chinese Canadian
voters, and even before Election Day, they saw evidence of their
political clout with the pledges from the three major opposition
parties. Even Paul Martin eventually pledged to at least apologize. Now
it’s up to the Harper Government to show that election pledges are
meant to be kept.”
 
Canada's
“National Dream” was realized when the Last Spike was driven to
complete the transcontinental railway in 1885. Instead of gratitude for
the Chinese railway workers – thousands of whom gave their lives to the
building of this country – the government imposed a head tax on all new
Chinese immigrants, collecting more than $23 million by 1923. That
year, the government passed the Chinese Exclusion Act to stop all
Chinese immigration to Canada. The racist legislation was not repealed until 1947.
 
– 30 –
For more information, please contact:
 
Ontario Coalition of Head Tax Payers and Families
[Toronto]
Susan Eng, co-chair, (416) 960-0312
Avvy Go, legal counsel, (647) 271-9357
           
B.C. Coalition of Chinese
Head Tax Payers, Their Spouses and Descendants
[Vancouver]
Bill Chu, spokesperson (604) 261-6526
 
Chinese Canadians Redress Alliance [Montreal]
William Dere [514] 488-0804
Walter Tom [514] 341-3929 
 
Chinese Canadian National Council
Founder Dr. Joseph Wong [416] 591-6837
               Colleen Hua, President [647] 299-1775

Vote today….

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Vote Today…

It’s important to vote in today’s federal election.

Last night at Gung Haggis Fat Choy dinner, Faye Leung wanted to say a few words to acknowledge my family elders.   Many were born in Victoria and Vancouver BC,, and were not able to vote in the country of their birth until 1947 when Canadians of Chinese ancestry were given franchise rights.  This was due to the successful repeal of the racist Chinese Exclusion Act that had begun with the Chinese Head Tax, and was part of 62 years of legislated racism.

My grand-uncle Daniel Lee is a WW2 veteran, who decided to fight for Canada, even though he couldn’t vote. He and his friends also fought for franchise rights for Canadians of Chinese descent.  Every year he writes to the federal government asking for an apology… but they
never reply.

Head tax redress became the most important issue in the Chinese Canadian issue when the Liberal government tried to pass through and announce the ACE program for acknowledgement, commemoration and education in an effort to redress all past wrongs for immigration or internment.  Unfortunately the preconditions were No Apology, and
No Compensation, unlike the historic 1988 redress for Japanese Canadians, interned during WW2.

The Chinese Canadian population, spoke out in protest from Halifax to Victoria, against the program demanding their version of ACE – Apology, Compensation and Equality.

Against a rising tide of redress protest, the Liberal party floundered and Prime Minister Martin gave a “personal apology” – but redress leaders said this wasn’t good enough.  All the opposition parties, thd NDP, Conservatives and Bloc Quebecois, plus the Green Party, agree
on an official apology and individual compensation for surviving head tax payers and spouses.  But the Liberals are the lone hold out.

In the last election I voted Liberal, but I cannot do that his year because of their unconscienceable stance on head tax redress.

Democracy works.  Please vote.

Famous and influential Canadians call on an All-Party resolution for Redress for Chinese Head Tax and Exclusion Act

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Famous and influential Canadians call on an All-Party resolution for Redress for Chinese Head Tax and Exclusion Act

An Open Letter to:

 
The
Honourable Paul Martin, Prime Minister of Canada,
Mr. Stephen Harper, Leader of the Opposition Party,
Mr. Jack Layton, Leader of the NDP, and
Mr. Gilles Duceppe, Leader of the Bloc Quebecois
 
As
Canadians who believe in justice and human rights, we are calling on
you to start the process of redress and reconciliation for 62 years of
legislated racism under the Chinese Head Tax and Exclusion Acts.
 
Head
tax redress is clearly an election issue and may well influence the
results in some key swing ridings. The issue has galvanized the Chinese
Canadian community and youth across the country. Thanks to this
grassroots pressure, all three opposition parties have called for a
formal apology in the House of Commons and the Prime Minister has made
at least a personal apology.
 
This
is an issue of justice that concerns all Canadians. How we deal with it
will speak to the values we hold dear and the true meaning of belonging
and citizenship.
 
On
January 23, 2006, one of you will become the new Prime Minister of
Canada. It will be a great opportunity for the new Government to start
afresh with a proper process of reconciliation with the Chinese
Canadian community, beginning with a formal apology in Parliament, and
direct compensation to the few surviving head tax payers and widows. 
 
Then,
new Government must rescind the agreement in principle signed with a
group that head tax families reject as representing them, stop payment
on the $2.5 million ACE program funds identified therein, and reopen
good-faith negotiations with the representatives of head tax families
as to the nature and extent of redress.

The three opposition parties have committed in writing to this process of reconciliation. We expect them to honour their pledge.

 
We
ask for your assurance that under your leadership, the Government of
Canada will immediately undertake to begin the process of healing, by
recalling the House of Commons on Chinese New Year to pass an all party
Parliamentary resolution to apologize for this historical injustice.
 
Chinese New Year is January 29th – a good time for the resolution
and an auspicious time for a new beginning.


Endorsed by: 

June Callwood
Wayson Choy
Shirley Douglas
Senator Lillian Dyck
Michelle Lansberg
His Worship David Miller, Mayor of Toronto
James Pon (Chairman of the Foundation to Commemorate the Chinese Railroad Workers)
Judy Rebick, Gindin Chair in Social Justice and Democracy, Ryerson University
Senator Nancy Ruth, and
Dr. Joseph Wong, Founding President of the Chinese Canadian National Council

Chinese Canadians Seek Lunar New Year Resolution on Head Tax Redress

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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Chinese Canadians Seek Lunar New Year Resolution on Head Tax Redress
 
January
21, 2006 (Vancouver). Redress-seeking groups including the Chinese
Canadian National Council and the Association of Chinese Canadians for
Equality and Solidarity (ACCESS) support the open letter written by
Canadians for Redress to all 4 party leaders urging them to work
cooperatively in the new Parliament to resolve the longstanding head
tax redress issue.
 
Canadian for Redress made up of prominent Canadians are asking all four leaders to start the process of reconciliation by
jointly issuing an apology on behalf of the
Canadian
Government on or before Lunar New Year on January 29, 2006. This is to
be followed by an all-party Parliamentary acknowledgement when
Parliament is recalled.
 
Prime
Minister Paul Martin and Conservative Leader Stephen Harper are
expected in Vancouver on Sunday. “We are urging all Party leaders to
start the process of reconciliation so that we may finally close this
dark chapter in Canadian history,” Sid Tan, ACCESS President said.
“Lunar New Year is upon us: a time for family, reconciliation and hope.”
 
CCNC
is urging all Canadians and especially Chinese Canadians to participate
in this important vote. The polls open at 7am on January 23rd and close
at 7pm and Canadians can vote at their local polling station even if
they have not received their voter card. “Our community has spoken
loudly and forcefully on the Head Tax redress issue: now is the time to
participate in the vote,” Victor Wong, CCNC Executive Director said
today. “We urge all eligible Chinese Canadians to exercise their right
to vote on January 23rd. Our community of over 1 million account for as
much as 40% of constituents in some key ridings and all voters will
have a hand in determining the makeup of the new Parliament.”
 
CCNC
is a national human rights organization with 27 chapters across Canada.
We are joined in this grassroots-driven campaign for redress of the
Head Tax and Chinese Exclusion Act by redress-seeking groups including
the Ontario Coalition of Chinese Head Tax Payers and Families, B.C.
Coalition of Head Tax Payers, Spouses and Descendants, the Chinese
Canadian Redress Alliance, the ACCESS Association of Chinese Canadians
for Equality and Solidarity Society and the Metro Toronto Chinese and
South East Asian Legal Clinic.
 
– 30 –


For more information and media interviews, please contact:
Sid Tan, Vancouver, 604-433-6169 / 604-783-1853, sidtan@telus.net
Victor Wong, Vancouver, 647-285-2262, victorywong@yahoo.com

Letter to Vancouver Sun: No Head Tax is Voluntary

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Letter to Vancouver Sun: No Head Tax is Voluntary

My friend Victor Wong also happens to be executive director of the Chinese Canadian National Council. This is the group that helped to start organizing head tax payers and descendants in the 1980's to appeal to the federal government for redress for the 62 years of legislated racism against ethnic Chinese immigration to Canada from 1891 to 1947.  This systemic racism included not giving voting franchise to Canadians of Chinese ancestry born in Canada, such as my Grandmother who was born in 1910 in Victoria BC.  Victor writes a very good rebuttal to people who say that the Chinese pioneers paid the head tax voluntarily and didn't have to come to Canada.  I feel that his arguement is weak, because it ignores the fact that no other ethnic group had a head tax placed on them, and is and was, and still remains blatantly racist.
– Todd

Letter to Vancouver Sun:

 
After
the CPR was built and the Chinese labourers excluded from the Last
Spike photo, the Canadian Government moved swiftly to restrict Chinese
immigration by imposing the racist Head Tax. Some suggest that this tax
was “voluntary.” But no tax is voluntary: the GST, income tax, property
tax are modern day examples. In 1923, the Canadian Government imposed
the Chinese Exclusion Act to prohibit further Chinese immigration. Did
the Chinese “voluntarily” subject themselves to the Chinese Exclusion
Act?
 
The Head Tax and
Chinese Exclusion Act are unique pieces of legislation in that they
specifically target a racial group and with an expressed purpose to
restrict and then prohibit further Chinese immigration. The Canadian
Government collected $23 million in head tax levies, a sum with a
present value of over $2 billion today. These laws served to subject
the Chinese community to overt and systemic racism well beyond its
repeal in 1947: families were separated for generations, some remain
separated even today.
 
The Head Tax
redress issue is one of the few community-drive election issues. Over
and over again, our seniors have reminded us that the issue is not
about the money per se but more about human dignity. Our youth have
asked “Are we not doomed to repeat these or similar mistakes if we just
brush things off as a history lesson? Where is the education value in
providing no redress to the very people who endured the 62 years of
legislated racism?”
 
The
Head Tax and Chinese Exclusion Act were immoral laws, even in their
time as non-Chinese who spoke out against its racist nature. During
this election campaign all Parties have agreed to a Parliamentary
aknowledgement and apology, and the Conservatives, NDP and BLOC have
agreed to an inclusive process to finally resolve this longstanding
issue.  As one of my colleagues asked: “If the Head Tax and Chinese
Exclusion Act was morally wrong, then what is the morally right thing
to do?”
 
With the Lunar New Year upon us, this is the time for family, reconciliation and hope.

Victor Wong

Georgia Straight names election candidate recommendations + conversation with Charlie Smith

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The Georgia Straight names election candidate recommendations

Funny thing happened
as I was writing this article.  Georgia Straight News Editor
Charlie Smith phoned me.

“Todd I've been seeing your face pop up on tv all over the place.”

“Oh Charlie, I just wanted to make a statment about head tax.  It
is such an important issue for all Canadians, but especially for me as
a 5th generational Chinese-Canadian.  My grandmother is 95 years
old, and her father and husband paid the head tax.  The Liberals
really bungled the head tax redress by not including head tax
descendants.  That's why I agreed to do the NDP television
ad.  I truly feel that the Liberals have forgotten to speak to
“real Canadians.” Their bureaucrats followed their instructions to only
find organizations that agreed to their pre-conditions of No Apology,
and No Compensation.  That was a terrible predicament to put our
Chinese Canadian veterans in, who have always asked for an apology, yet
no compensation.  They wanted to see an apology in their lifetime,
and all they got was a psuedo admission of regret.”

Charlie and I have a good conversation, and he asks me questions about
how I feel that no Chinese Canadian candidates may be elected from the
Vancouver Lower Mainland.  I tell him that with candidates like
Libby Davies and Bill Siksay who have good handles and outreach into
the Chinese communities, I feel confident that we have their ear. 
I think many people in the Chinese community feel that Raymond Chan did
not stand up for Chinese Canadians on the head tax redress issue. 
He could have resigned his position in protest – but he followed the
party line.  But give credit to Raymond Chan, he did bring a
redress settlement to the House, even though it was a gutted private
members bill first brought up by Conservative Inky Mark.  And head
tax redress will finally get its due soon – although not the way
Raymond Chan intended.

We also discuss how Sherry Shaghaghi is the first Iranian-Canadian
candidate for a federal election.  “She is a star
candidate.”  It's important for ethnic candidates to develop
exposure, even though they may be running in unwinnable ridings such as
North Vancouver.  But think of what it was like for Doug Jung to
run for election as the first Chinese Canadian MP in 1957.

More importanly Charlie Smith and I also discuss what I have found to
be amazing during this
election is that the Chinese community, has a new identity through the
hard work of incredible 1st generation immigrants such as Thekla Lit,
Bill Chu and Gabriel Yiu, with Canadian born Chinese like myself. 
He has such high praise for them all, and especially Sid Tan, whose
mother in China was separated from his father in Canada for
decades. 
I especially have a greater appreciation and understanding of Chinese
language immigrants and the Chinese media too.  And that is a good
thing.

The Georgia Straight includes the Chinese Head Tax redress amongst important elections issues such as
the future of health care, child care, the cost of postsecondary
education, crime, police surveillance powers, ,
immigration, Canadian military priorities, and the desire for less
corruption in Ottawa.  They also state that “it’s
unthinkable to elect federal politicians who opposed ratifying the
Kyoto Protocol and who are so threatened by gay and lesbian marriages
that they feel they must be banned.”

Recommendations are listed in 19 Lower Mainland ridings where none of the choices have
denied that human activity is contributing to climate change nor want to deny same-sex
marriage.

My personal view is that I cannot support the Liberal position on the
head tax apology, or rather lack of proper apology and failue to
compensate remaining head tax payers and spouses.  After
scratching out Conservative candidates who are
anti-same-sex-marriage… there's generally only the NDP and Green
Party left.  But we still need some good Conservative and Liberal
reps in the House…. hmmm…. who will it be?

Highlights include:

We’re not recommending Chan because he fumbled the Chinese head-tax issue, refusing to give an official apology.


Libby Davies, who was first elected to Parliament in 1997, has had more impact than most opposition federal politicians.


Bill Siksay deserves to be reelected after his party forced the federal
Liberals to amend their budget to replace corporate tax cuts with
tuition assistance and funding for housing.


Mary Woo Sims, the former
chief commissioner of the BC Human Rights Commission, is a hero to some
in the gay and lesbian community for her record as a defender and
promoter of human rights.

As B.C.’s attorney general in the late 1990s, Dosanjh did more than any
of his predecessors to advance the rights of gays and lesbians and to
allocate public resources to combat domestic abuse. No one can accuse
Dosanjh of lacking personal courage.

For 25 years as an NDP MP in Burnaby, Svend Robinson repeatedly
demonstrated that he was willing to do all of this and more on behalf
of his constituents.


We’re recommending Shaghaghi, a clinical counsellor, over Stephenson
because of her extensive record of community service and her party’s
record in the recent Parliament.

Dawn Black is a progressive politician who will fight for the concerns of low-income residents in the riding.

Burnaby Now: Bill Siksay backs Head Tax Redress

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Burnaby Now: Bill Siksay backs Head Tax Redress

I have known Bill Siksay since '88 to '90 when he was Sven
Robinson's constituency assistant in Burnaby Douglas.  At the
January 16th press conference and Statement of Support signing by
candidates supporting Head Tax Redress, I asked the candidates if any
of them were direct head tax descendants or had family members who were.

Bill Siksay gave this reply as reported in Burnabynow newspaper”

“The
head tax was a terrible chapter in Canadian history,” Siksay said. “It
was an unjust law that caused incredible hardship for many, many
people.
“I had
family who lived in Canada at that time, which means, in fact, that I
had family who were head-tax collectors,” he said. “This isn't just an
issue for Chinese-Canadians, this is an issue for all Canadians to take
responsibility for what happened in the past.”

Siksay
noted that the Liberals and Conservatives voted to water down the
original head-tax redress bill in Parliament to remove the word
'apology' and replace it with a statement of recognition.
“They took a weak bill and made it worse,” Siksay said. ”
Siksay
also noted that the NDP has been at the forefront of the issue since
the early '80s, when former MP Margaret Mitchell introduced the first
proposal on the matter.


Siksay
said he believes redress and compensation are vital to ensuring that
Canada moves forward as a strong and proud country that acknowledges it
was built on the backs of immigrants.

The
Liberals are the only party still refusing to endorse or commit to
individual compensation, and no Liberals attended the ceremony.  Conservative Darrel Reid of Richmond who said while he supported head tax redress, his party's position was not to sign.

Candidates who attended and signed the
Support Declaration are:

NDP: Neil Smith, Bev Meslo, Ian Waddell, Libby Davies, Bill
Siksay, Peter Julian, Mary Woo Sims & Svend Robinson.

Green: Doug Perry, Christine Ellis, Ray Power, Ben West,
Jean-Philippe Laflamme, Sven Biggs & Silvaine Zimmermann.

Canadian Action: Constance
Fogal

Candidates who did not attended but signed
the Support Declaration in advance by fax/email:

NDP: David Askew, William Jonsson, Dawn Black & Penny
Priddy (not from the above 11
ridings).

Green: Richard Gordon Mathias, Roy Whyte

Conservative: Paul Forseth

TOTAL CANDIDATE SIGNED THE SUPPORT DECLARATION: 23 (NDP-12, GREEN- 9, CONSERVATIVE-1,
LIBERAL-0

 

Signing Ceremony – “Candidates in Support of Chinese Head Tax Redress”

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The following is a media alert written by the BC Coalition of Head Tax
Payers, Spouses, and Descendants.  I attended the event and took
pictures shown below.

Media Alert

Signing Ceremony –  “Candidates
in Support of Chinese Head Tax Redress”

image
Head
Tax payer/spouse shakes hands of Green Party members who attended and
signed a statement of support for Head Tax/Exclusion Act redress for
Chinese Canadians.  Moderator Thekla Lit organized the event which
saw Green Party candidates Ray Power, Christine Ellis, Ben West, Sven
Biggs, and Silvaine Zimmermann – photo Todd Wong

image

NDP
candidates Bev Meslo, Libby Davies, Mary-Woo Sims, Svend RobinsonPeter
Julian, Bill Siksay and Neil Smith, all smile as they sign a statement
of support – photo Todd Wong

The BC Coalition of Head Tax Payers, Their Spouses and
Descendants is organizing a media event – “Candidates in Support of
Chinese Head Tax Redress”.  Candidates of all parties running in 11
Lower Mainland ridings with significant Chinese population are invited to
participate in a signing ceremony to declare their support for the demand of a
just and honorable Chinese Head Tax Redress.  Seniors of the
Coalition and the media are invited to witness the signing. Attached is
the Support Statement to be signed.

The objective of the event is to let the general public know
which candidates support the redress demands and who do not.  This
information will serve as one of the important considering factors in their
voting. 

Date: Jan
16, 2006 (Monday)

Time: 10:30
a.m. – Noon

Place: Chinese
Christian Mission Canada
Centre (CCM Centre), Crystal Mall, 4533 Kingsborough Street,
Burnaby

image

Green
Party: Ray Power, Christine Ellis, Ben West, Jean-Philippe Laflamme,
Sven Bigs & Silvaine Zimmerman. – photo Todd Wong.

———–

image
Libby
Davies says the NDP party gladly signs the statement of support, as it
reflects the same objectives that the NDP have fought for since the mid
1980's when NDP MP Margaret Mitchell first led the call for Redress fo
Chinese Canadians – photo Todd Wong.

The meeting is well attended this morning at CCM Centre, Crystal
Mall. 
There were about 100 seniors (head tax families) and 17 candidates attended.

The 11
ridings that we send our invitations are:

– Richmond,
44% (Chinese population)

– Vancouver
South, 42%

– Vancouver
Kingsway, 42%

– Vancouver
East, 30%

– Burnaby-Douglas, 27%

– Vancouver-Quadra, 21%

– Burnaby-New Westminster, 20%

– Delta- Richmond East, 18%

– New Westminster-Coquitlam 16%

– Port Moody-Westview-Port Coquitlam, 10%

– Vancouver
Centre, 10%

image

Seniors
lift up signs calling for redress and rescinding the
Agreement-in-Principle.  NDP and Green Party candidates turn
around to look – Seated in front Conservative Darrell Reid (far left), NDP's Svend
Robinson, Bill Siksay, NDP Libby Davies, second row: Mary-Woo Sims (in red), GP Ray Power, GP Christine Ellis – photo Todd Wong

Candidates who attended and signed the
Support Declaration are:

NDP: Neil Smith, Bev Meslo, Ian Waddell, Libby Davies, Bill
Siksay, Peter Julian, Mary Woo Sims & Svend Robinson.

Green: Doug Perry, Christine Ellis, Ray Power, Ben West,
Jean-Philippe Laflamme, Sven Biggs & Silvaine Zimmermann.

Canadian Action: Constance
Fogal

Candidates who did not attended but signed
the Support Declaration in advance by fax/email:

NDP: David Askew, William Jonsson, Dawn Black & Penny
Priddy (not from the above 11
ridings).

Green: Richard Gordon Mathias, Roy Whyte

Conservative: Paul Forseth

TOTAL CANDIDATE SIGNED THE SUPPORT DECLARATION: 23 (NDP-12, GREEN- 9, CONSERVATIVE-1,
LIBERAL-0)

image
Conservative Darrell
Reid listens to interpetor tell the audience that while the
Conservative Party will take action on the head tax issue, he has been
instructed by his party not to sign a document of support – photo Todd
Wong

Candidate who attended but do not want to
sign or commit to the Support Declaration:

Conservative: Darrel Reid

*The Conservative Party and some Liberal candidates cites
the Section 550 of the Election Act that said “candidate is prohibited
from giving to someone or some group a document which will commit the
candidate…” (see attachment) and refuse to sign the Support
Declaration. 

Darrel Reid read his party position and cited the section
for his refusal to sign the declaration.  But when the convenor of the
event asked Reid to express his support by verbally read the Support
Declaration, Reid refused too.  Reid act drew strong responses from the
seniors and some even yelled there's no difference between the Liberals &
Conservative.

During the question session, Peter Julian, MP said he is
certain that the Support Declaration is not a violation of the Election Act and
he was a member of the Parliamentary committee who oversees election
matters.  Julian said it's a common practice where candidates make verbal
and written promises during election campaign. Julian declared that if it's a
violation, he's willing to resign.

Signing Ceremony – “Candidates in Support of Chinese Head Tax Redress”

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image

Media
Alert

Signing Ceremony
–  “Candidates in Support of Chinese Head Tax
Redress”

The BC Coalition of Head Tax Payers,
Their Spouses and Descendants is organizing a media event – “Candidates in
Support of Chinese Head Tax Redress”.  Candidates of all parties running in
11 Lower Mainland ridings with significant Chinese population are invited to
participate in a signing ceremony to declare their support for the demand of a
just and honorable Chinese Head Tax Redress.  Seniors of the
Coalition and the media are invited to witness the signing. Attached is the
Support Statement to be signed.

The objective of the event is to let
the general public know which candidates support the redress demands and who do
not.  This information will serve as one of the important considering
factors in their voting.

Date: Jan 16, 2006 (Monday)

Time: 10:30 a.m. –
Noon

Place: Chinese Christian Mission Canada Centre (CCM Centre), Crystal Mall, 4533 Kingsborough Street, Burnaby

  

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