[van-announce] New Democrat and Liberal M P’s to Mark R edress with Head Tax Families

[Sid Chow Tan]

Media Advisory: For Immediate Release - November 24, 2006

New Democrat and Liberal MP’s to Mark Redress with Head Tax Families:
Jack Layton and Ujjal Dosanjh to Observe Seminal Redress Turnaround Moment

Vancouver BC  - The Head Tax Families Society of Canada (HTFSC) is encouraged 
Jack Layton, Leader of the federal New Democrats, and Ujjal Dosanjh, former 
Liberal cabinet minister and B. C. premier, will observe the turnaround of the 
Chinese head tax/exclusion redress struggle at a public forum. Invitees 
included the Leaders and Greater Vancouver Members of Parliament of the four 
parties represented in the House of Commons, the Leaders of parties and Members 
of the B. C.'s legislature and elected officials from the three parties 
represented at Vancouver city council.

When: 11:00am Saturday, November 25, 2006
Where: Chinese Cultural Center - Dr. David Lam Hall
             50 East Pender Street, Vancouver

On November 26 last year, the ad hoc B. C. Coalition of Head Tax Payers, 
Spouses and Descendants (BC Coalition) organised a march in Chinatown to 
protest the then Liberal government’s “no apology, no compensation” agreement. 
An information line was set up outside a closed redress conference funded by 
the government at the Chinese Cultural Center and a photo opportunity for Prime 
Minister Paul Martin at United Chinese Community Enrichment Social Services 
(SUCCESS). This action is considered a seminal moment in the redress struggle. 

Several days later, the action manifested itself politically. Kanman Wong and 
Darrell Reid, who were at the information line and subsequent Conservative 
candidates in the 2006 federal election, joined Conservative John Cummins MP 
(Delta-Richmond East) to break with the party position. On December 8, 2005, 
with the federal election underway, Conservative leader Stephen Harper promised 
action on Chinese head tax/exclusion redress if elected.    

The unilateral settlement imposed by the Government will directly address only 
0.6% of affected head tax families. Approximately 600 surviving head tax payers 
and spouses will receive $20,000 in ex gratia payments. Over 82,000 Chinese 
families paid the unjust tax between 1885 and 1923 in Canada and 1906 to 1949 
in Newfoundland before joining Confederation.

Members of the BC Coalition formed the Head Tax Families Society of Canada,  a 
B. C. registered Society with a mandate from over 2,500 written claims for 
justice and honour for Chinese pioneer families. An open membership and 
democratic Society, HTFSC continues  its mission of meaningful redress for head 
tax families. 

-30-

-- 


  Those who are skilled in combat 
    do not become angered. 


  Those who are skilled at winning 
    do not become afraid. 

  Thus, the wise win before they fight 
    while the ignorant fight to win.   

            Sun Tzu, "The Art of War" 



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