May 14, 2012

Statement by Official Opposition Leader, Thomas Mulcair, on 65^th anniversary of the repeal of the Chinese Immigration Act

65 years ago today, the Parliament of Canada repealed the infamous Chinese Immigration Act.

For 24 years, this act, also known as the “Chinese Exclusion Act,” banned the Chinese from entering Canada.

However, at the end of the 19^th century, nearly 17,000 of them had contributed, in extremely difficult conditions and sometimes at the cost of their lives, to the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway.

Today, Canadians of Chinese origin are one of the most important ethnic groups in Canada. They have established strong and prosperous communities in many parts of the country and are present in all spheres of activity.

The anniversary of the revocation of this law, that we mark today, is that of a victory against discrimination and the affirmation of Canada as a welcome home for immigrants.

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