Loyal Chinese veterans earned the right to vote for others

by Larry Wong

Saturday, November 09, 2002

With Remembrance Day coming up, to be followed by the civic elections, I am reminded that some 600 Chinese Canadians from across Canada volunteered their services during the Second World War.

What made this simple act so remarkable was that the Chinese Canadians at that time were not considered Canadian citizens, even if they had been born in Canada. Their parents came to the country, paying up to a $500 head tax until 1923 when the federal government legislation barred any further Chinese immigration with the exception of diplomats, students and missionaries.

The Canadian-born Chinese had no citizenship and, therefore, no voting rights. If they were fortunate enough to obtain a university education, they couldn't practise their training in accounting, law or medicine because each professional society required Canadian citizenship.

Yet the Chinese volunteered their war services, earnest in their desires that their efforts and sacrifices were deemed worthy of first-class citizenship. At the end of the war, they returned to civilian life and lobbied the government until the Elections Act was amended to allow them to vote. Getting the franchise opened the door to professions and trades previously barred to them.

It is with this background in mind that, when I cast my ballot in the civic election Nov. 16, I will be thankful to the vets for giving me my right to vote. Whenever I see a Chinese pharmacist, or deal with a Chinese lawyer or a Chinese engineer, I can measure how far the Chinese community has progressed since the middle of the last century.

I mention these thoughts as we seem to live in a time where these privileges and rights are taken for granted. Lest we forget, let me say I am proud of these vets.

Larry Wong

Vancouver