After convening the City’s Chinese Canadian Reconciliation advisory group this summer, the City has begun taking steps towards reconciliation for historical discrimination against people of Chinese descent.
Burnaby residents will have an opportunity to share their voices on this process by taking a public survey on the actions the City should take to address its legacy of discrimination.
Residents are also invited to identify specific locations in Burnaby which should be recognized as Chinese Canadian heritage sites, including natural or human-made features, and places of social, cultural or historical significance.
In addition to a public survey, the City will host community dialogue events, focus groups and storytelling sessions with Burnaby’s Chinese Canadian community to understand, record and preserve important parts of our rich Chinese Canadian history. These events begin in October 2023, and will be continue in series through to spring 2024.
Learn more: Burnaby.ca/YourVoice-CCReconciliation
About reconciliation with the Chinese Canadian community
City staff have already produced a report outlining a history of the discriminatory laws, regulations and policies of the City of Burnaby that targeted people of Chinese descent between 1892 and 1947. The City’s actions restricted the lives of Chinese Canadians in many ways, including:
- restricting voting rights
- advocating for discrimination
- restricting access to livelihood
- targeting enforcement and regulation of Chinese-owned businesses
- restricting access to land
Framework for Reconciliation with Burnaby’s Chinese Canadian Community
To guide this process of reconciliation, Burnaby has convened an advisory group which provides advice to staff for engaging with the community and identifies potential actions for reconciliation, including acknowledgement and a formal apology.
The advisory group is comprised of 2 City staff members of Chinese Canadian heritage, a historian/academic advisor, and 4 community members comprised of historic families, educators, and representatives of community organizations, with a focus on those that serve Burnaby’s Chinese Canadian communities.
Media Contact:
Chris Bryan
Manager, Public Affairs
Public Affairs Office
604-570-3616 | [email protected]