A commemorative monument was unveiled in the Kamloops Chinese Heritage Cemetery on Saturday to recognize the contributions of Chinese Canadians to British Columbia's rich cultural and economic history.
Huge thanks to #Kamloops Chinese Cultural Assn & #Freemasons for their role in this important recognition of early #ChineseCdns in #BC pic.twitter.com/h5SxZfWL26
— Teresa Wat (@Teresa_Wat) March 18, 2017
The monument exhibits a steel plaque that reflects on the 2014 apology delivered on behalf of the B.C. legislative assembly to Chinese Canadians for historical wrongs committed by past provincial governments.
The monument also serves as a reminder of the Chinese workers who helped to complete the Canadian Pacific Railway in the late 1800s and went on to either work on local farms or become merchants and restaurant owners.
According to Teresa Wat, Minister of International Trade and Minister Responsible for Asia Pacific Strategy and Multiculturalism, the monument commemorates Kamloops Chinese Canadian pioneers.
"Chinese Canadians have helped to shape British Columbia into the welcoming and inclusive place it is today, said Wat. "This monument commemorates Kamloops Chinese Canadian pioneers and stands as an enduring testament to their many contributions to Kamloops and to British Columbia."
"Kamloops values the many Chinese Canadian pioneers, including railway workers, farmers and merchants, who were subjected to unacceptable racist policies, said Todd Stone, MLA for Kamloops/South Thompson. "This monument not only preserves the May 2014 apology in the legislature, it also creates a permanent legacy for all British Columbians and serves as a reminder that B.C. welcomes people of all cultures and backgrounds."
Also commenting on the monument was Harry Marr, a descendent of Kamloops Chinese Canadian pioneers.
"My family was separated for years both by the Second World War and by racist government policies that prevented Chinese immigration," said Marr. "My mom was forced to raise my brother and I in China while our dad worked in Canada. When our family was finally reunited in 1950, we made Kamloops our home. I still live here with my wife, surrounded by our children and grandchildren, and am so pleased to see a permanent tribute to the hardships faced by Chinese Canadians and the rich and productive lives that so many of us built in British Columbia."
The monument in Kamloops marks the fourth in a series of up to 15 markers that will be established in communities throughout B.C. over the coming months.
