Agreement-in-principle between the Government of Canada and the Chinese Canadian Community
(as represented by the National Congress of Chinese Canadians)
November 24, 2005
An Agreement-in-Principle between the Government of Canada and the Chinese Canadian Community, as represented by the National Congress of Chinese Canadians.
Preamble
Canada is one of the world’s most ethnically and culturally diverse societies and recognizes diversity as a source of strength and innovation. However, Canada’s past includes actions that were discriminatory and are inconsistent with the values Canadians hold today. These actions, which were consistent with the law, included the imposition of a head tax exclusively against immigrants of Chinese origin from 1885 to 1923 and other exclusionary measures against immigrants of Chinese origin until 1947.
Members of the Chinese Canadian Community have a strong interest in commemorating and educating Canadians about their past and the unique and significant contributions Chinese Canadians have made to shaping Canada’s history. The Government of Canada is committed to acknowledging and learning from the past, and to working with the community on a forward-looking approach aimed at strengthening social cohesion and Canadian identity.
To demonstrate its commitment, the Government of Canada, in its 2005 Budget, announced funding of $25 million over three years to the Multiculturalism Program of the Department of Canadian Heritage to acknowledge, commemorate and educate Canadians about the historical experiences of ethnocultural communities affected by wartime measures and immigration restrictions. Initiatives funded through this program will seek to highlight the contributions made by impacted communities in the building of our country.
Agreement-in-Principle
The Government of Canada and the Chinese Canadian Community have developed this Agreement-in-Principle, premised on the principles of ‘no compensation’ and ‘no apology’. This is a first step in articulating their shared vision for the acknowledgement, commemoration and education of Canadians about the imposition of a head-tax exclusively against immigrants of Chinese origin between 1885 and 1923 and who were also subjected to other exclusionary measures until 1947. The Government of Canada acknowledges that these events are deserving of recognition. This agreement also highlights the contributions that the Chinese Canadian Community has made to building Canada. It is the intention of both parties that a final agreement, including additional funding and an appropriate acknowledgement by the Government of Canada of the discriminatory head tax and other historical, exclusionary measures, which were legal at the time but inconsistent with the values Canadians hold today, will be concluded as soon as possible.
Funding
The Government of Canada plans to provide an initial amount of $2.5 million to the National Congress of Chinese Canadians through the Acknowledgment, Commemoration and Education Program. The National Congress of Chinese Canadians will co-ordinate, in consultation with the Board of Directors of the soon to be incorporated Chinese Canadian Community Foundation, the implementation of commemorative projects over the next three years on behalf of the Chinese Canadian Community. This initial amount will enable the community to commence work on forward-looking proposals that will help commemorate their historical experiences and educate Canadians about them; highlight and commemorate the contributions that the Chinese Canadian Community has made to Canada; and promote cross-cultural understanding and a shared sense of Canadian identity.
Action Plan
The Government of Canada, through the Minister of State (Multiculturalism), and the Chinese Canadian Community, through these representatives, agree to continue to work together towards a formal agreement to help build a better understanding among all Canadians.
The Government of Canada’s contribution pursuant to this Agreement-in-Principle is subject to:
- the approval of the terms and conditions and the funding for the Acknowledgement, Commemoration and Education Program by Treasury Board;
- the annual appropriation by the Parliament of Canada for this purpose;
- the conclusion of a contribution agreement.
This Agreement-in-Principle shall not be interpreted as a full and final agreement nor as constituting an admission by the Government of Canada of the existence of any legal obligation of the Government of Canada nor as foregoing/limiting any person(s) right to advance or initiate an action/claim against the Government of Canada, nor shall this Agreement-in-Principle be interpreted by any of the signatories as representing the interests of all Chinese Canadians.
Signed on: November 24, 2005
at: Ottawa, Ontario
For the Government of Canada,
The Honourable Raymond Chan, P.C., M.P., Minister of State (Multiculturalism)
For the Chinese Canadian Community,
Ping T. Tan
Executive Co-Chair, National Congress of Chinese Canadians
Howe Lee
President, Chinese Canadian Military Museum Society
Man Wai Yu
Vice-president, Montreal Chinese Cultural Centre
Lana Wong
Vice-president, Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Toronto