Head tax compensation plan not enough, N.L. activists saywww.cbc.ca/canada/newfoundland-labrador/story/2006/10/26/head-tax.htmlLast Updated: Thursday, October 26, 2006 | 7:31 AM NT
CBC News
Members of Newfoundland and Labrador's Chinese community say their fight for fair compensation for the Chinese head tax is far from over.
Immigrants to Canada from China paid a head tax to enter the country, while the former Dominion of Newfoundland levied a similar tax from 1906 until Confederation with Canada in 1949.
Robert Hong says he has become somewhat skeptical about the federal government's apology over the Chinese head tax. Robert Hong says he has become somewhat skeptical about the federal government's apology over the Chinese head tax.
(CBC)
Prime Minister Stephen Harper apologized for Canada's head tax earlier this year, calling it a "moral blemish" on the country's soul. Earlier this month, the first redress payments were made.
But members of the Chinese community in Newfoundland and Labrador are upset that compensation will not be offered to survivors of those who paid the tax.
"Dad pinched pennies his entire life, and saved and saved and saved," said Robert Hong, whose late father Gene paid a head tax to enter Newfoundland in 1931.
Hong, whose family will receive nothing because his mother and father have both died, said every family holding a head tax certificate should receive the $20,000 in symbolic compensation that Ottawa is providing.
"Dad would have been very upset if he knew that the symbolic compensation would not include the family estate," Hong told CBC News.
Gordon Jin, whose parents are also deceased, agrees.
"I don't think it's over until the redress movement says it is over. It has nothing to do with the money issue," said Jin, a member of Newfoundland and Labrador's redress committee.
"It has to do with justice and honour, and being treated as first-class citizens — being equal."
Len Westerberg, media relations officer with Heritage Canada in Ottawa, said there are often different reactions to federal programs.
"If they don't agree with it, they can certainly contact their local Parliament member and make their feelings known that way," Westerberg said.
The federal government has agreed to pay compensation in Newfoundland and Labrador. So far, only one application has been received.
To date, Heritage Canada has received applications from 34 head tax payers.
Hundreds of spouses are expected to apply, but Hong says he is skeptical because about 90 per cent of Chinese-Canadians whose families paid the tax will receive nothing.
Hong said he is wondering whether the federal government's apology is sincere or more about trying to win votes in the next election.
"There's a side of me that says, 'You know, we're probably being bought off with our own money,' " Hong said.
Premier Danny Williams issued an apology in June for the Dominion of Newfoundland's head tax, calling it a "clearly discriminatory" move against the 330 men who paid it.
About 82,000 Chinese paid the Canadian head tax until the Exclusion Act came into effect in 1923, effectively banning further immigration from China until 1947. The Canadian head tax ranged from $50 to $500.
Meanwhile, leaders of Canada's Chinese community are scheduled to hold a news conference in Toronto on Thursday to outline next steps in their campaign for more inclusive compensation.