The Province of British Columbia formally apologized to Chinese Canadians Thursday for historical wrongs and racism dating back to Confederation.
Premier Christy Clark read the apology into the legislature, which was supported by the Opposition NDP and other MLAs.
“On behalf of the Province of British Columbia, and on behalf of the entire legislative assembly, we sincerely apologize for the provincial government’s historical wrongs,” said Clark.
“We are sorry for the discriminatory legislation and racist policies enacted by past provincial governments. We will ensure that this never happens again.”
Chinese people in British Columbia were in the past denied basic human rights, like the right to vote, hold public office and own property. They were also subjected to imposed labour, education and employment restrictions, and as well as health and housing segregation.
The apology covered more than 100 pieces of discriminatory legislation passed by the B.C. legislature in the 1800s and 1900s.
The House acknowledges that the Chinese Canadian Community endured untold hardships and persevered with grace and dignity,” Clark said in the legislature.
“We acknowledge that despite beings subjected to discriminatory laws, polices and practices, the Chinese community has made, and continues to make, substantial contributions to the culture, history and economic prosperity in our province.”
Clark said the province “deeply regrets that these Canadians were discriminated against simply because they were of Chinese descent.”
Clark said it’s hoped that the formal apology will help bring closure to the dark period in B.C.’s history.
Prime Minister Stephen Harper apologized in 2006 on behalf of the Canadian government for the Chinese head tax.
The apology had been first proposed by Clark’s Liberal government in 2013, but it was delayed after the so-called ethnic outreach scandal, in which apologies for historical wrongs to ethnic groups like Chinese Canadians were referred to as political “quick wins” by the Liberal government.
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