Calgary's Chinese community gathers to mark 100 years since 'Exclusion Act' passed

Members of Calgary's Chinese community gathered Friday to mark 100 years since the enactment of the Chinese Immigration Act — a measure that separated many families. 

The City of Calgary held an event Friday at the Calgary Central Library to remember and hear stories of Chinese immigration in Calgary. 

Gary Mar, CEO of the Canada West Foundation and former provincial cabinet minister, said it's important to remember and learn from past events. 

"Have we learned from that experience that people are Canadians and should not be judged by the colour of their skin? I'm not sure we have, but hopefully we do better if we are ever faced with that circumstance again," he said. 

For more than 20 years, the act banned Chinese immigration to Canada and divided hundreds of families. Its official anniversary date is July 1, which for many Chinese-Canadians is remembered as "Humiliation Day."

On July 1, 1923, the Chinese Immigration Act, also called the Chinese Exclusion Act, became law. 

The Government of Canada website says "the Chinese Exclusion Act was the culmination of widespread anti-Chinese racism and policies increasing in Canada since the 19th century." 

It replaced the first Chinese Immigration Act of 1885, which included the various head taxes and other measures to deter immigration from China. 

Ward 7 Coun. Terry Wong said the act affected his own family. He said his grandfather came to Canada in 1913. 

"Both my grandmothers and grandfathers got married in the early 20s … it was about 42 years of separation. You can imagine getting married and not seeing your husband or wife except for the two times you come back to have children." 

The anniversary of the Chinese Immigration Act will be marked in Calgary on July 1 with a number of events, including a wreath laying. 

In May, the city had said it was cancelling its large scale Canada Day fireworks show for a number of reasons, among them the marking of the Chinese Immigration Act. 

However, after community pushback, the city reinstated the fireworks. 

Wong said the city's Chinese community will observe the centennial anniversary of the act, which left a legacy of systemic barriers and persisting biases. 

"We are observing both the trauma of the [Chinese] Immigration Act and also the rise of the Chinese community and the contributions they've made to Calgary over the last 100 years." 

"With or without fireworks, we will do an observance."