Statement - Minister Kenney congratulates Newfoundland and Labrador Chinese-Canadian community on unveiling of new monument

Ottawa, September 17, 2010 — The Honourable Jason Kenney, Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, issued the following statement today.

I would like to congratulate the Newfoundland and Labrador Head Tax Redress Organization on its unveiling today of a monument to commemorate the pioneers of the Newfoundland Chinese Community.

The monument is the first of a four-part initiative, to which Citizenship and Immigration Canada contributed over $166,000.

Canadians of Chinese descent have made an important contribution to the history and fabric of Canada. This was noted by Prime Minister Stephen Harper in 2006, when he offered a full apology to Chinese-Canadians for the Head Tax and expressed his deepest sorrow for the subsequent exclusion of Chinese immigrants from 1923 until 1947.

As the Prime Minister noted, ‘For over six decades, these malicious measures, aimed solely at the Chinese, were implemented with deliberation by the Canadian state. This was a grave injustice, and one we are morally obligated to acknowledge.’ As Minister of Citizenship, Immigration and Multiculturalism, I am confident this monument will raise awareness about the Head Tax and assist in the education of all Canadians about the contributions of Newfoundland and Labrador’s Chinese-Canadian community.

I commend the NLHRO and all of those associated with this project for their efforts.

For further information (media only), please contact:

Celyeste Power
Minister’s Office
Citizenship and Immigration Canada

Media Relations
Communications Branch
Citizenship and Immigration Canada
613-952-1650
CIC-Media-Relations@cic.gc.ca