加拿大首相正式向华人头税道歉PM unveils redress for head tax on Chinese

[mamaomao]

PM unveils redress for head tax on Chinese

Last Updated Thu, 22 Jun 2006 17:37:58 EDT
CBC News

http://www.cbc.ca/story/canada/national/2006/06/22/chinese-apology.html

Prime Minister Stephen Harper has promised "symbolic payments" to Chinese immigrants who paid a head tax to Canada between 1885 and 1923.

Ralph Lung Kee Lee, who at 106 is the oldest surviving person to pay the head tax, carries a symbolic 'last spike' used in the completion of the Canadian Pacific Railway as he arrives at the train station in Ottawa on Wednesday. (Jonathan Hayward/Canadian Press) Ralph Lung Kee Lee, who at 106 is the oldest surviving person to pay the head tax, carries a symbolic 'last spike' used in the completion of the Canadian Pacific Railway as he arrives at the train station in Ottawa on Wednesday. (Jonathan Hayward/Canadian Press)

Widows of men who paid the head tax are also covered, Harper told the House of Commons on Thursday.

He also offered a formal apology for the fact that the tax was imposed, saying "the government of Canada recognizes the stigma and exclusion" the tax represented.

Only about 30 immigrants who paid the tax and several hundred widows of payers are still alive.

An estimated 80,000 Chinese immigrants paid the tax, which was intended to deter Chinese immigration after Chinese workers helped build the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1885.

The tax started at $50 per person in 1885 and rose to $500 per person in 1903, equal to as much as two years' salary.

After it was withdrawn in 1923, the head tax was replaced by the Exclusion Act, which barred Chinese immigrants from the country altogether until 1947.

In a journey dubbed the "Redress Express," about 100 people, including some who paid the head tax and their families, boarded a train in Vancouver last week to travel to Ottawa to hear the apology.

Jen Jung said the $500 head tax paid by her father, Wood Jung, was discriminatory.

"They did Chinese people a disservice," said Jung. "They didn't treat them like everybody else. Other people came into the country and they didn't have to pay a head tax."

Jung said it's about time the government apologized to Chinese immigrants who contributed to Canada's economy by doing odd jobs, opening new businesses and building the Canadian Pacific Railway.

Linda Ing said the train ride is making her father, 106-year-old Ralph Lung Kee Lee, remember his days working on the railroad.

Lee is the oldest surviving person to pay the tax. He carries with him a symbolic "last spike" given to the Chinese community by author Pierre Berton in recognition of the work done by immigrants to build the railway.

"He looks after it like a baby," said Ing.

James Pon, 88, whose father paid $1,000 to bring him and his mother to Canada, praised Harper for making the apology.

"I think he's doing it for compassion," Pon said. "At the same time, he recognizes the wrongs done to the Chinese people."

A train dubbed the 'Redress Express' carried about 100 people, including some who paid the head tax and their families, from Vancouver to Ottawa to hear the government's apology. (CBC) A train dubbed the 'Redress Express' carried about 100 people, including some who paid the head tax and their families, from Vancouver to Ottawa to hear the government's apology. (CBC)

'An honourable compromise'

Jason Kenney, the parliamentary secretary to the prime minister, said before the announcement that he thought most Chinese-Canadians will be pleased with the package.

"It will be meaningful, it will be an honourable compromise, it will reflect a broad consensus in the larger Chinese-Canadian community and in the Canadian community at large," said Kenney.

The apology is an opportunity for Canadians to learn about a chapter of their country's history, "that we did actually target a particular group through laws and policies that were effectively racist."

Susan Eng, of the Ontario Coalition of Head Tax Payers and Families, called it a historic day.

"In our private lives, we remain responsible for all of our wrongs," said Eng.

"For the government to step up to the plate and say we take responsibility for our wrongs, I think it sends a major message to all Canadians of the kind of values we hold dear."

In 1988, Prime Minister Brian Mulroney apologized to Japanese-Canadians for their internment during the Second World War.

 

[mamaomao]

最大的幸存者

Ralph Lung Kee Lee, who at 106 is the oldest surviving person to pay the head tax, carries a symbolic 'last spike' used in the completion of the Canadian Pacific Railway as he arrives at the train station in Ottawa on Wednesday. (Jonathan Hayward/Canadian Press)

 

[mamaomao]

华人社团坐火车来到渥太华参加道歉仪式

A train dubbed the 'Redress Express' carried about 100 people, including some who paid the head tax and their families, from Vancouver to Ottawa to hear the government's apology. (CBC)

 

[mamaomao]

加拿大首相正式向华人头税道歉原文
Text of Harper's speech

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20060622.wspeech0622/BNStory/National


Prime Minister Stephen Harper's speech Thursday on the Chinese head tax:

Mr. Speaker, I rise today to formally turn the page on an unfortunate period in Canada's past.

One during which a group of people ― who only sought to build a better life ― was repeatedly and deliberately singled out for unjust treatment.

I speak, of course, of the head tax that was imposed on Chinese immigrants to this country, as well as the other restrictive measures that followed.

The Canada we know today would not exist were it not for the efforts of the Chinese labourers who began to arrive in the mid-19th century.

Almost exclusively young men, these immigrants made the difficult decision to leave their families behind in order to pursue opportunities in a country halfway around the world they called “Gold Mountain.”

Beginning in 1881, over 15,000 of these Chinese pioneers became involved in the most important nation-building enterprise in Canadian history ― the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway.

From the shores of the St. Lawrence, across the seemingly endless expanses of shield and prairie, climbing the majestic Rockies, and cutting through the rugged terrain of British Columbia.

This transcontinental link was the ribbon of steel that bound our fledgling country together. It was an engineering feat ― one for which the back-breaking toil of Chinese labourers was largely responsible ― that was instrumental to the settlement of the West and the subsequent development of the Canadian economy.

The conditions under which these men worked were at best harsh, and at times impossible: tragically, some one thousand Chinese labourers died building the CPR.

But in spite of it all, these Chinese immigrants persevered, and in doing so, helped to ensure the future of Canada.

But from the moment that the railway was completed, Canada turned its back on these men.

Beginning with the Chinese Immigration Act of 1885, a head tax of $50 was imposed on Chinese newcomers in an attempt to deter immigration.

Not content with the tax's effect, the government subsequently raised the amount to $100 in 1900, and then to $500 ― the equivalent of two years' wages ― in 1903.

This tax remained in place until 1923, when the government amended the Chinese Immigration Act and effectively banned most Chinese immigrants until 1947.

Similar legislation existed in the Dominion of Newfoundland, which also imposed a head tax between 1906 and 1949, when Newfoundland joined Confederation.

The government of Canada recognizes the stigma and exclusion experienced by the Chinese as a result.

We acknowledge the high cost of the head tax meant many family members were left behind in China, never to be reunited, or that families lived apart and, in some cases, in poverty, for many years.

We also recognize that our failure to truly acknowledge these historical injustices has led many in the community from seeing themselves as fully Canadian.

Therefore, Mr. Speaker, on behalf of all Canadians and the Government of Canada, we offer a full apology to Chinese Canadians for the head tax and express our deepest sorrow for the subsequent exclusion of Chinese immigrants.

Gar nar dai doe heem.

This apology is not about liability today: it is about reconciliation with those who endured such hardship, and the broader Chinese-Canadian community, one that continues to make such an invaluable contribution to our great country.

And while Canadian courts have ruled that the head tax, and immigration prohibition, were legally authorized, we fully accept the moral responsibility to acknowledge these shameful polices of our past.

For over six decades, these race-based financial measures, aimed solely at the Chinese, were implemented with deliberation by the Canadian state.

This was a grave injustice, and one we are morally obligated to acknowledge.

To give substantial meaning to today's apology, the Government of Canada will offer symbolic payments to living head tax payers and living spouses of deceased payers.

In addition, we will establish funds to help finance community projects aimed at acknowledging the impact of past wartime measures and immigration restrictions on ethno-cultural communities.

No country is perfect. Like all countries, Canada has made mistakes in its past, and we realize that.

Canadians, however, are a good and just people, acting when we've committed wrong.

And even though the head tax ― a product of a profoundly different time ― lies far in our past, we feel compelled to right this historic wrong for the simple reason that it is the decent thing to do, a characteristic to be found at the core of the Canadian soul.

Mr. Speaker, in closing, let me assure the House that this government will continually strive to ensure that similar unjust practices are never allowed to happen again.

We have the collective responsibility to build a country based firmly on the notion of equality of opportunity, regardless of one's race or ethnic origin.

Our deep sorrow over the racist actions of our past will nourish our unwavering commitment to build a better future for all Canadians.

Thank you.

 

[mamaomao]

本周早前的相关报道



人头税平反好事多磨 哈珀能否如期道歉有变数

总理哈珀能否如期在本周四下午3时，于国会对人头税正式道歉仍然存在变数。魁人政团未表明是否开绿灯，联邦自由党的立场也未明，如果其中一个政党不肯同意，道歉时间就要提前。

Posted Tuesday, June 20, 2006


总理办公室批评魁人政团玩把戏，各政党的众议院领袖今天会开会，商讨解决方案。按照众议院的规定，总理要在上午10时左右发表声明，如果他要在其他时间进行，需要得到所有反对党的一致同意。新民主党昨日已表态赞成，但魁人政团仍未同意，领袖杜锡的新闻秘书布高（Catherine Bourgault）向本报表示，该党要求政府交代这个星期的众议院议程，才决定是否同意；由于政府没有回应，因此该党也不表态。

布高表示，如果政府合作，魁人团也会开绿灯，因为该党支持道歉，不过，她批评政府透明度不高，不让该党知道政府做甚么。

哈 珀的新闻秘书奥尔森(Carolyn Stewart-Olsen）证实，魁人政团未有表态支持，暂时未知自由党的立场。本报昨日联络自由党领袖葛利衡（BIll Graham）办公室，对方转介给该党的众议院领袖古迪尔（Ralph Goodale），但多次致电古迪尔在渥太华及沙省选区办公室，至截稿时都未有回覆。

可能改早上10时道歉

奥尔森指出，如果有任何一个政党不同意，哈珀就不能在当日下午3时发表声明。总理肯定会在周四道歉，如果反对党不合作，总理就会改在早上10时进行道歉。

奥尔森说，政府经常知会反对党有关众议院的议程，这不是秘密。她批评魁人政团的举动是在玩把戏，“这样做对他们无益，如果他们真的这样做，是愚蠢的做法。”

奥尔森说，各政党的众议院领袖今日会讨论有关事宜，希望可达成共识。一般预料，就算政府被迫要临时更改道歉时间，也不会影响平反方案的内容。

新民主党议员邹至蕙，对魁人政团的举动并不意外，因为该党不同意保守党的问责法。“他（们）可能想藉此来交换其他东西，那将是不幸的。”

另外，政府要得到反对党同意，需要提早24小时，在周三把哈珀的声明交给对方。祖裔部传讯总监佩特森（Robert Paterson）表示，反对党必须对声明内容保密，否则会违反国会协议。众议院议长可能会作出制裁，因此声明与平反方案未必会提早曝光。

(来源:星岛日报)

 

[mamaomao]

肯尼接车重申有诚意惟不奢望皆大欢喜 人头税百年屈辱今日平反


联邦总理哈珀的国会秘书、国会议员肯尼(Jason Kenney)昨天在渥太华火车站迎接由多伦多抵达的“平反列车”时证实，总理哈珀今天在国会就人头税正式道歉的同时，将宣布赔偿方案。他表示，赔偿方案不能让所有人“皆大欢喜”，但应该是有诚意的，也吸取了华人社区大部分人的意见。他有信心赔偿方案将会令“大多数华人满意”。

Posted Thursday, June 22, 2006



据“环球电视台”(Global TV)报道，称得到独家消息，总理哈珀的赔偿方案是每位人头税支付者及其遗属，将会得到2万元的赔偿。

自由党国会议员、多元文化评论员文玛莉在接受本报电话采访时亦表示，若总理哈珀今天宣布对人头税进行个人赔偿的方案，自由党将予以支持。在国会山庄前为庆祝加拿大国庆而搭起的临时舞台，将现场转播整个道歉仪式。

来自温哥华、爱民顿及多伦多的5名在世的人头税纳税人、两名人头税苦主配偶、12名遗孀、来自各地的人头税苦主后代、平权会、安省人头税受害人及家属联盟等团体的代表共逾百人，于昨天早上9时登上于上周五由温哥华启程的平反列车，开始这次横跨加拿大的平反人头税之旅的最后一程。在经过近5个小时行程之后，于当天下午2时抵达国都渥太华。

保守党联邦内阁平反人头税的推手之一、联邦国会议员肯尼亲往站台迎接这些风尘仆仆的老人家。肯尼在车站接受传媒查询时表示，有信心按预订的时间表在今天下午3时由总理宣读道歉声明。他并表示，在宣布道歉的同时，也会宣布平反赔偿方案，虽然没有透露细节。

政府表达善意的一种方式

肯尼表示，赔偿方案将是“有意义的”(meaningful)、表彰性(honourable)的。同时又是象征性的，因再多的赔偿亦不能补偿人头税家庭所受到的种种折磨，这只能是政府表达善意的一种方式。他表示，赔偿方案是在听取各地华人团体广泛意见的基础上制订的，他有信心可以令多数华人满意，但若说 “皆大欢喜”就不一定做到。至于赔偿方案的细节，特别是赔偿方案中是否包括人头税纳税人的子女，肯尼则不肯透露。不过令加国华人受屈辱百年多的人头税问题，到今日总算得到解决。

政府口风密 难知赔偿方案

联邦自由党的多元文化评论员、国会议员文玛莉(Mary Minna)昨天在接受本报电话访问时表示，自由党乐见总理哈珀在国会就人头税历史问题代表政府向华人道歉。她表示，希望总理哈珀今天可以就加国其它族裔在历史上所受到的不公正而道歉，以免今后反覆为不同社区的个案单独道歉。

文玛莉表示，去年11月自由党政府就人头税问题与华人团体(指全加华联)签署原则协议，建立旨在纪念、表彰和教育的基金。希望保守党政府继续尊重并执行这一协议，彰显华人在加拿大建国史上的贡献。她并建议在渥京的加拿大文明博物馆内，辟出“铁路专室”。被问及若总理哈珀今天在道歉的同时，也宣布对个人的赔偿方案，自由党是否支持这些对个人的赔偿，文玛莉作出了肯定的回答。据了解，自由党临时党领葛利衡(Bill Graham)在总理宣读道歉声明之后，亦会代表自由党就人头税宣读一份声明。

准备好各种回应方案

在充满温情的平反之旅最后一程，争取人头税最终获得满意解决的较量行动仍在进行中。平权会及安省人头税受害人及家属联盟仍在紧张进行沙盘推演。由于政府口风甚紧，到目前为止平权会和联盟对总理哈珀到底会端出甚么“牛肉”招待这些远道而来、八九十岁甚至百岁高龄的老人家还不得而知。平权会核心人士表示，到达渥太华之后，将会争取从各种渠道事先了解赔偿方案详情，并争取与政府交涉到方案宣布前的最后一分钟。平权会也已经就哈珀可能宣布的数种方案，分别准备出回应的立场和所要采取行动的方案。一些在火车上的人士表示，如果在宣布平反时，只有道歉，没有赔偿方案，可能会出现部分人士当即离场、甚至出声抗议的尴尬情况。

安省人头税联盟共同主席伍素屏则表示，她有信心总理今天会宣布赔偿方案，而且推出的方案将是有诚意的，有尊严的。她表示，有信心当那些苦主及家属听到宣布方案时会感到满意和鼓舞。她相信，听完总理的宣布之后，应该不会有离席抗议的情况出现。伍素屏还透露，为因应平反现场空间有限的情况，在国会山庄正门前为庆祝加拿大国庆而搭建的临时舞台，将现场转播平反仪式。转播现场将设有300个座位，供不能进入现场的人士观看。

(来源：星岛日报)

 

[师长]

这个一定要顶

 

[快乐的天蝎]

Harp 赞!
今天CBC报道这条新闻, 很感动!

 

[carleton_ren]

1983年至2006年，23年的艰苦努力，加拿大华人终于可以用自己的声音争取自己的合法权益。总理哈帕的中文虽然很差（实在是很差）但其意义却是很大。就像温哥华市长经常用流利的粤语和普通话和华人市民沟通一样，主流社会现在正在用不同的方式认同和重视超过100万的加拿大华人社会。但华人真的应该改变那种“事不关己，高高挂起”的思维方式。尽自己的能力积极推动和提升华人在加拿大的社会和经济地位。正如加拿大著名人权律师，历史学家聂宗典女士 (Ms. Dora Nipp) 所说“也许你来到加拿大才一年，两年，几年，但是你所归属的华人社会在加拿大已经超过100年了”。的确，也许你个人的力量有限，但超过100万的华人社会的力量却是加拿大任何一个政党不能也不敢再忽视的力量。今天你对华人社会漠不关心，那么明天加拿大政府的一个对华人的歧视性政策必然伤害到你，因为，你是一个Chinese!

最近有一个网上的“加拿大华人社会地位调查”(Chinese Canadian Study)。这个网上调查皆在发现加国华人的社会现状，政治地位，经济状况等与华人生活息息相关的重要内容。这项调查将会帮助发现在进行社会决策时，什么样的重要信息要被考虑进去，才会完全反映全体加拿大人的需要。希望在加拿大居住超过2年18岁以上的华人朋友踊跃参加，用短短的30分钟来发表你的声音。并告知你的朋友和家人一起来参与这个调查。

这个调查在下面的网址：
www.copewell.carleton.ca