C-333
First Session, Thirty-eighth Parliament,
53-54 Elizabeth II, 2004-2005
HOUSE OF COMMONS OF CANADA
BILL C-333
An Act to acknowledge that immigrants of Chinese origin were subject to head taxes and other exclusionary measures and to provide for recognition of these actions
REPRINTED AS AMENDED BY THE STANDING COMMITTEE ON CANADIAN HERITAGE AS A WORKING COPY FOR THE USE OF THE HOUSE OF COMMONS AT REPORT STAGE AND AS REPORTED TO THE HOUSE ON NOVEMBER 4, 2005
Ms. Oda
381299
SUMMARY
This enactment acknowledges that immigrants of Chinese origin were required to pay a head tax between 1885 and 1923 and suffered other exclusionary measures until 1947, and expresses the deep sorrow of Parliament for those events.
The enactment provides for negotiations to take place between the Government of Canada and the National Congress of Chinese Canadians in respect of measures that may be taken to recognize the imposition of those exclusionary measures. The measures that may be taken may include the installation of commemorative plaques as well as public education initiatives.
The enactment also allows a request to be made to the Canada Post Corporation for the issue of a commemorative stamp or set of stamps.
Also available on the Parliament of Canada Web Site at the following address:http://www.parl.gc.ca
.vis1 {position: absolute;display:block;}
.vis2 {position: static;}
1st Session, 38th Parliament,
53-54 Elizabeth II, 2004-2005
house of commons of canada
BILL C-333
An Act to acknowledge that immigrants of Chinese origin were subject to head taxes and other exclusionary measures and to provide for recognition of these actions
Preamble
WHEREAS workers of Chinese origin made an extraordinary contribution in the building of Canada, particularly in the construction of the railways during which many workers of Chinese origin died;
WHEREAS, despite this contribution, a head tax was imposed on immigrants of Chinese origin from 1885 to 1923;
WHEREAS The Chinese Immigration Act, 1923 imposed other exclusionary measures with respect to immigrants of Chinese origin until 1947;
WHEREAS Parliament wishes to express its deep sorrow for those events;
AND WHEREAS Parliament acknowledges that those events are deserving of recognition through public education and the promotion of the shared values of multiculturalism, inclusion and mutual respect;
NOW, THEREFORE, Her Majesty, by and with the advice and consent of the Senate and House of Commons of Canada, enacts as follows:
Short title
1. This Act may be cited as the Immigrants of Chinese Origin Exclusionary Measures Recognition Act.
Negotiations
1.1 The Government of Canada shall undertake negotiations with the National Congress of Chinese Canadians towards an agreement concerning measures that may be taken to recognize the imposition of exclusionary measures on immigrants of Chinese origin from 1885 to 1947.
2. [Deleted]
Objective
2.1 The measures shall have as their objective a better public understanding of
(a) the consequences of ethnic, religious or racial intolerance and discrimination; and
(b) the important role of the Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms in the respect and promotion of the values it reflects and the rights and freedoms it guarantees. 
3. [Deleted]
Commemorative plaques
3.1 The measures may include the installation of commemorative plaques at certain places where exclusionary measures were enforced.
Public education measures
4. The measures may also include the following public education measures:
(a) the exhibition of information concerning immigrants of Chinese origin and their contribution to the development of Canada; and
(b) the preparation of related educational materials.
Commemorative postage stamps
5. The Government of Canada and the National Congress of Chinese Canadians may request the Canada Post Corporation to issue a commemorative stamp or set of stamps.
Other
commemorative
measures
6. The Government of Canada and the National Congress of Chinese Canadians may consider any other measure that promotes the objective described in section 2.1.
Interpretation
7. Negotiations undertaken pursuant to section 1.1 shall not be interpreted as constituting an admission by Her Majesty in right of Canada of the existence of any legal obligation of Her Majesty in right of Canada to any person.
Published under authority of the Speaker of the House of Commons