“The ways that we weaponized our bylaws to target these groups is something that we need to reconcile with, we need to apologize for. And we need to take very real actions to make reparations.”
Ninety-five years ago, the majority of Burnaby city council wanted all people of Asian descent to be deported and their land expropriated.
The group will find actions for reconciliation, including acknowledgements and a formal apology. The city will also come up with an engagement strategy to hear from the local Chinese Canadian community, with outreach in Chinese languages and English. Coun. Richard Lee said his family was affected by policy discrimination, including the Chinese Head Tax, which charged Chinese immigrants $500 to come to Canada and restricted the arrival of Chinese people to Canada.
“These policies that have restricted access to land, restricted access to good jobs – not even good jobs – jobs, just sustenance, period, and livelihoods, businesses. And the ways that we … weaponized our bylaws to target these groups is something that we need to reconcile with, we need to apologize for, and we need to take very real actions to make reparations.”
In the 1910s to ’20s, Burnaby council rejected a number of trade licences for Chinese Canadian greengrocers, and, in 1922, council endorsed a resolution from a ratepayers association “that no further Oriental retail or wholesale traders be licensed in this municipality.” The B.C. Attorney General’s office at the time denied the request.
South Africa Latest News, South Africa Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Developer sues over ‘contaminated vapour plumes,’ dry-cleaning chemicals at Burnaby siteA developer building condos on contaminated Burnaby land is blaming the owners of nearby lots once used for dry-cleaning businesses and suing them for the cost of cleaning up the contamination.
Read more »
Burnaby drivers warned of 'rapidly accumulating snow,' slippery roadsBe careful out there.
Read more »
Police watchdog called to Burnaby after 'serious injuries' to barricaded manA man who barricaded himself into a residence and was eventually arrested with help from a police dog Monday night was seriously injured. The IIO is investigating police actions during the incident.
Read more »
Burnaby flower shop ordered to pay ex-employee wages, overtime, holiday payThe province's director of employment standards has ordered Fleurs D’epargne to pay $2,000 in penalties and $3,616.97 in unpaid wages, overtime and holiday pay to an ex-employee who worked at its Metrotown store.
Read more »
SFU closes Burnaby campus today due to snowUniversity will provide next update at 6 a.m. Wednesday.
Read more »
New West, Burnaby may see mail delays todayPlease clear the ice and snow from sidewalks and stairs for your mail carrier.
Read more »