The Chinese Canadian National Council (CCNC) and the Ontario Coalition of Chinese Head Tax Payers and Families (Ontario Coalition) will participate in a number of commemorative events this week to mark the one-year anniversary of the Chinese Head Tax Parliamentary apology.

- The Chinese Canadian National Council (CCNC) and the Ontario Coalition of Chinese Head Tax Payers and Families (Ontario Coalition) will participate in a number of commemorative events this week to mark the one-year anniversary of the Chinese Head Tax Parliamentary apology. On June 22, 2006, more than 200 Chinese Canadian seniors and their families were present to witness Prime Minister Stephen Harper deliver the Parliamentary Apology in the House of Commons. The other three Party leaders: Hon. Bill Graham, Mr. Gilles Duceppe and Hon. Jack Layton also made statements. The federal Government announced direct redress of $20,000 to living head tax payers or surviving spouses last year. “We recognize the achievements to date by this Government and this Parliament," Colleen Hua, CCNC National President said today. "But at the same time, some 3000 head tax families are excluded from last year's redress announcement and we continue to seek a just and honourable resolution that includes all head tax families." 

“We hope that these events will be restorative and educational for the Chinese Canadian community and for all Canadians." 

Chinese Canadian seniors and their families will gather at Toronto City Hall tomorrow for the Mayor's Proclamation on Chinese Canadian Head Tax Redress Day. 

Date: Wednesday, June 20, 2007 12:30 pm – 2:30 pm 

Location: Members Lounge, Toronto City Hall, 100 Queen Street West 

Speakers: Mayor David Miller, Councillor Paula Fletcher, James Pon, Pauline Lee, George Lau and Colleen Hua 

Other events include: 

June 22: Ontario Legislature Reception at Queen’s Park, Room 247 at 1:30 pm

June 22: CCNC/Ontario Coalition Head Tax Redress Day Events at the Bright Pearl Restaurant in Toronto, 5pm Forum, 7pm Dinner 

July 1: Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Monument of the Chinese Railroad Workers in Canada, West of Roger’s Centre (Skydome) at 10:30am organized by the Foundation to Commemorate the Chinese Railway Workers in Canada 

The Chinese Exclusion Act (1923 – 1947) replaced the Chinese Head Tax (1885 – 1923) and prohibited Chinese immigration for more than a generation, separating families and stunting the development of the community. Only a handful of Chinese were allowed to enter Canada during this period which included the Great Depression and Second World War. The sons and daughters of the head tax payers were also directly affected by this legislation and experienced poverty, racism, family separation and lost educational opportunity first hand. Their families also paid the head tax and the Canadian Government should offer a meaningful apology in the form of direct redress to all head tax families.  

CCNC continues to work with other redress groups including the Ontario Coalition of Chinese Head Tax Families, Head Tax Families Society of Canada (formerly the B.C. Coalition of Head Tax Payers, Spouses and Descendants), Newfoundland and Labrador Head Tax Redress Committee, and Montreal Head Tax Redress Committee in the campaign to fully redress the Chinese Head Tax, Newfoundland Head Tax and Chinese Exclusion Act. 

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For media interviews, please contact:

Victor Wong (CCNC) at (416) 977-9871 or (647) 285-2262 

End

1. Details of Toronto City Hall Proclamation – June 20, 2007 at 12:30 pm: 

Date: Wednesday, June 20, 2007 12:30 pm – 2:30 pm 

Location: Members Lounge, Toronto City Hall, 100 Queen Street West 

Speakers: Mayor David Miller, Councillor Paula Fletcher, James Pon, Pauline Lee, George Lau and Colleen Hua. 

2. Details of Ontario Government reception to mark Chinese Canadian Head Tax Redress Day at Queen’s Park – June 22, 2007 at 1:30pm (get there by 1:00pm to clear security):

The Honourable Mike Colle

Ontario Minister of Citizenship and Immigration

cordially invites you to attend a

Reception to Mark the

Chinese-Canadian Head Tax Redress Day

Friday, June 22, 2007

1:30 p.m.

Room 247

Ontario Legislature

Queen’s Park, Toronto

Please R.S.V.P. to Christopher Carbone by Thursday, June 21, 2007 at 416-314-7780 or at

christopher.carbone@ontario.ca

***

L’honorable Mike Colle,

Ministre des Affaires civiques et de l’Immigration de l’Ontario,

vous invite cordialement à assister à une

Réception marquant la journée de la réparation

pour la taxe d’entrée imposée aux Chinois

Vendredi 22 juin 2007

13:30 h

Salle 247

Assemblée législative de l'Ontario

Queen’s Park, Toronto

R.S.V.P.: Christopher Carbone, d’ici au jeudi 21 juin 2007, au 416-314-7780 ou à christopher.carbone@ontario.ca 

 3. Details of CCNC/Ontario Coalition HT Apology Anniversary Dinner at Bright Pearl Restaurant – June 22, 2007 at 5:00pm for forum and 7:00 pm for dinner: 

RE: June 22nd Parliamentary Apology Commemorative Dinner in Toronto 

The first anniversary of the June 22 Parliamentary Apology for Head Tax and Chinese Exclusion Act is fast approaching.  The Chinese Canadian National Council and the Ontario Coalition of Chinese Head Tax Families will mark this first year anniversary by organizing a commemorative dinner on Friday, June 22, 2007 at the Bright Pearl Restaurant.  We are writing to invite you and your colleagues to join us in celebrating our past achievements, namely the Parliamentary Apology as well as to hear our report back on the progress of our current campaign for inclusive redress and efforts to achieve a complete redress for head tax families.   

Location:          Bright Pearl Restaurant, 346-348 Spadina Ave., Toronto, Ontario 

Time:                Friday, June 22, 2007. Program starts at 5:00 pm, Dinner starts at 7:00 pm.; Tickets are $35 

Program:          Report on progress of struggle for complete redress.

                        Photo Exhibit.

                       Question Period.

                        Video Documentary presentation.

                        Presentation of Parliamentary Apology.

                        Karaoke.

                        Door prizes draw. 

Please note that there are a limited number of seats available for this event, so please book your tickets asap to avoid disappointment. 

The road towards a just and honourable redress is both challenging and rewarding. Your support is always appreciated. 

Please RSVP by contacting: Victor Wong at (416) 977-9871 or by email at national@ccnc.ca or Binh Chow at (416) 506-1838. 

Sincerely, 

Colleen Hua

Chinese Canadian National Council 

George Lau

Ontario Coalition of Chinese Head Tax Families    

4. Canada Day Wreath Laying Ceremony at the Monument of the Chinese Railroad Workers in Canada: 

Location:          Monument of the Chinese Railroad Workers in Canada, West of Roger’s Centre (Skydome) 

Time:                Sunday, July 1, 2007 at 10:30 am