Today, Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley and members of City Council issued a formal apology for the City’s historic discrimination against people of Chinese descent, acknowledging decades of systemic exclusion and harm between 1892 and 1947.
“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.”
Mayor Hurley presented the official apology in English during a ceremony hosted at the Crystal Ballroom at the Hilton Vancouver Metrotown, a location selected for its historic significance. The Hilton Hotel and Crystal Mall development are located on land that was home to the Dragon Inn restaurant; the iconic restaurant served as a welcoming space in the community for several decades, where many were introduced to Chinese food and culture for the first time.
Interpretation was provided in Cantonese and Mandarin, and the event was livestreamed for broader accessibility.
The ceremony recognized the hardships endured by early Chinese settlers and honoured their contributions to Burnaby’s growth and cultural fabric. During the ceremony, a special meeting of City Council was convened to repeal discriminatory bylaws which impacted people of Chinese descent.
In addition to the apology, the City commits to:
- increasing visibility of Chinese Canadian history and culture in public spaces
- supporting cultural preservation and storytelling initiatives
- advancing anti-racism education and inclusive civic engagement
This apology marks an important step towards redress and inclusion, following extensive engagement with Chinese Canadian communities in Burnaby. For more than 50 years, Burnaby enacted policies that denied Chinese Canadians the right to vote, own property, and work for the municipality. These actions caused lasting harm and shaped generations of exclusion. The City’s apology follows a months-long engagement process guided by a Chinese Canadian Reconciliation Advisory Group and the Burnaby Intercultural Planning Table. Activities included surveys, dialogue sessions, and interviews conducted in English, Cantonese and Mandarin.
Learn more: Apology for Historic Discrimination Against People of Chinese Descent