While many people across the province celebrated the news that Vancouver will soon be home to the first Chinese-Canadian Museum in Canada, Richmond city councillor Chak Au’s enthusiasm was somewhat tempered.
That’s because Au, an immigrant from Hong Kong, wants to see a similar museum here in Richmond.
When it opens, the historic Wing Sang Building, the oldest structure in Vancouver’s Chinatown, will be the permanent home of the first Chinese-Canadian Museum.
"Please don't get me wrong. It's fantastic to see the museum being established in B.C.," said Au.
"However, I think Richmond has great potential to set up a museum as well, since we have all the selling points - the rich history, being the most Asian city in North America and being the gateway between North America and Asia."
For instance, the Chinese bunkhouse, the historic building at Britannia Heritage Shipyards, was home to hundreds of Chinese cannery workers employed through Chinese contractors to work a variety of jobs on the cannery, explained Au, noting that the bunkhouse showcases the Chinese-Canadian history in the city.
In addition to having the only surviving bunkhouse on the West Coast, Richmond serves as the gateway between North America and Asia, said Au.
“I have written multiple emails to the provincial government before when they first brought up (a museum), and I even invited them to visit Richmond," said Au.
"Unfortunately, the invitation just fell apart and they didn’t come here in the end. I don't want to go into further details."
Although the museum won't likely come to Richmond anytime soon, Au still stays hopeful this won't be the end.
"I still believe that there will be Chinese-Canadian storytelling centres spreading across the country years later and one of them will be located in Richmond," said Au.
