City of Burnaby Issues Historic Apology for Discrimination Against People of Chinese Descent

By Pat Parungao

The City of Burnaby (CoB) formally apologized earlier this month for decades of historic discrimination against people of Chinese descent, acknowledging a legacy of exclusion that spanned from the City’s incorporation in 1892 until 1947. The apology, issued during a special meeting of City Council on November 15, was the culmination of extensive research and community consultation.

From mid-to-late 1800s Chinese migrants, mostly from Guangdong province and speakers of Cantonese dialects came to Canada seeking opportunity. In Burnaby, however, they faced systemic barriers that mirrored harsh provincial and federal anti-Chinese legislation of the era. A series of discriminatory municipal bylaws restricted land ownership, business operations, and access to civic participation, including the right to vote. Many Chinese residents and business owners were forced to lease land from European landowners in order to run farms, piggeries, and other enterprises.

These realities are documented in Burnaby’s Apology Event Film, available on YouTube.

Piper Carolyn Y.M. Ng leading the March On of the Colour Party.  Credit:  City of Burnaby

Following the historical presentation, piper Carolyn Y.M. Ng led the military Service of Remembrance March On of the Colour Party.  Wreaths were then laid by representatives of the Chinese Canadian Military Museum, South Burnaby Legion 83 and North Burnaby Legion 148, St. John Ambulance BC / Yukon wreath and the City of Burnaby.

Elwin Xie representing Burnaby’s first Chinese Canadian staff member Richard S. Lee. Credit:  Pat Parungao

Mayor Mike Hurley, Councillor Sav Dhaliwal, and Burnaby Village Museum Interpreter Elwin Xie presented the City of Burnaby wreath.  Xie represented Richard Samuel Lee, Burnaby’s first Chinese Canadian staff member.  Lee, a respected community advocate in the 1950s played a key role in the repeal of Burnaby’s 1892 Bylaw 4 which had prohibited the employment of Chinese and Japanese workers by the municipality or any of its contractors.  The apology in English, traditional and simplified Chinese is available on the CoB website at https://www.burnaby.ca/our-city/diversity-and-inclusion/apology-for-historic-discrimination-against-people-of-chinese-descent .

Mayor Hurley delivering historic apology

A well-attended special meeting of Burnaby City Council followed.   Mayor Mike Hurley and members of City Council delivered the City’s formal apology. The apology was live streamed with simultaneous translation in Cantonese and Mandarin.

“By recognizing and acknowledging the harm caused by the City’s historic treatment of people of Chinese descent, we are taking an important step towards building a more inclusive, welcoming community,” said Mayor Mike Hurley. “People of Chinese descent have a rich and storied history in shaping Burnaby, and their stories deserve to be recognized through this process.”

Burnaby also committed to increasing the visibility of Chinese Canadian history and culture in Burnaby’s public spaces, supporting cultural preservation and storytelling and advancing anti-racism education and inclusive civic engagement. A Zoom recording of the November 15 Special Council meeting can be found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFby8vVWsT8  and on the CoB website.

Responses by some attendees:

Lai Fong and Selina – could see that Mayor Hurley really meant what he said, and they appreciated that the City committed to positive actions moving forward.

Councillor Pietro Calendino described the apology as “an issue of social justice that should have been done a long time ago.”

Geoff Low – appreciated the apology and seeing the veterans honoured.  His dad, a veteran, bought a house in Burnaby in 1953 – something that would not have been possible a few years earlier due to discriminatory policies.

Military representatives

Hayne Wai appreciated the apology and felt that it was a wonderful program of respect for the veterans.

Richard Liu – expressed gratitude for the apology and reflected on the veterans’ sacrifices “for the country and for the Chinese franchise.”  With the passing of the last Chinese Canadian WWII veteran last month, Liu stressed that it is now our responsibility to keep their stories alive, reminding us that “We stand on their shoulders.”

Donna Wong with banner that includes the photo of her father Gim Wong.

Donna Wong – wished that her dad Gim Wong, a veteran, could have witnessed Burnaby’s apology.  She praised the City for its research, outreach and the creation of the documentary, Gim: The Life and Legacy of a Chinese Canadian. At age 82, Gim, a Chinese Canadian veteran, rode his motorcycle across Canada to speak out about injustices, including the Chinese head tax. You can see this film on the Heritage Burnaby website at https://search.heritageburnaby.ca/link/archivedescription102079.

For Burnaby Heritage Planner Lisa Codd, the most powerful part of the apology event was witnessing the intergenerational community come together and reaffirm their shared connection to Burnaby.