Canada: Senators discuss plans to mark anniversary of Chinese Exclusion Act – March 16, 2023

Speaking at a news conference on Parliament Hill, Senators Victor Oh and Yuen Pau Woo announce plans to hold a national remembrance ceremony and other commemorative events to mark the upcoming 100th anniversary of the introduction of the Chinese Immigration Act, commonly referred to as the Chinese Exclusion Act. They are joined at this press conference by Teresa Woo-Paw (founder of Action, Chinese Canadians Together). The events will highlight the discrimination and injustices against Chinese Canadians, as well as to celebrate the accomplishments of Chinese Canadians. The federal government passed the Chinese Exclusion Act on July 1, 1923, in response to anti-Chinese sentiment. The Act banned the entry of virtually all Chinese immigration to Canada except for four specific categories. The legislation was repealed in 1974. Senator Woo faces questions about the federal government’s move to begin consultations to create a foreign influence registry in response to allegations of Chinese meddling in 2019 and 2021 federal elections.