(Logo)
Prime Minister
July 1, 2023
(Picture on the top right)
Dear Friends:
I am pleased to extend my warmest greetings to everyone attending
today’s event commemorating the 100th anniversary of the Chinese Immigration Act
of 1923.
Also known as the Chinese Exclusion Act, this legislation had a
profound and devastating impact on thousands of Chinese newcomers who dreamed
of creating a new life in Canada, including those who risked their lives to
help build and later maintain the Canadian Pacific Railway. You gather today to
pay homage to all those who suffered as a result of the suspension of virtually
all Chinese immigration between 1923 and 1947, both those in Canada, as well as
their families and loved ones left behind in China.
I would like to thank the members of the Foundation to
Commemorate the Chinese Railroad Workers in Canada for spreading awareness of the
enduring legacy of this time. Today, we recognize the important contributions
that Canadians of Chinese descent have made, and continue to make, to our
country’s history, identity and prosperity, and we renew our commitment to
building a more fair and inclusive society where everyone is treated with
respect and dignity and has an equal opportunity to succeed. Canada is truly a
multicultural nation, made stronger and more resilient by our diversity.
Please accept my best wishes for a memorable commemoration.
Sincerely,
(Signature)
The Rt. Hon. Justin P. J. Trudeau, P.C., M.P. Prime Minister of
Canada
(Logo) Minister of Canadian Heritage
Ottawa, Canada K1A 0M5
(Picture)
Every day in Canada, people work hard to build an open,
inclusive society that embraces everyone.
Still, we must acknowledge that we have work to do. This
includes recognizing the dark chapters in our history when hatred was allowed
to take root. This year, we mark the 100th anniversary of the Chinese
Immigration Act, more appropriately known as the Chinese Exclusion Act. This
legislation ignored the contributions people of Chinese heritage made to our
country, most notably their efforts in building the transcontinental railway,
and it effectively shut the door on all Chinese newcomers.
As Minister of Canadian Heritage, I applaud the Foundation to
Commemorate the Chinese Railroad Workers in Canada for its efforts in ensuring
we never forget our history. Events like this give us the opportunity to
celebrate Chinese Canadian culture and stand together against discrimination
and hate in all its forms.
It reinforces our belief that diversity is a fact, but inclusion
is a choice.
(Signature)
The Honourable Pablo Rodriguez
(Logo of
the Federal Government of Canada)
(图标)
总理办公室
2023年7月1日
(右上方相片)
亲爱的朋友们:
我很高兴就今天参加纪念1923年《华人移民法》颁布100周年的活动向大家致以最热烈的问候。
这项也被称为《排华法案》的法案，对成千上万梦想在加拿大开创新生活的中国新移民产生了深远而毁灭性的影响，他们其中包括那些冒着生命危险帮助建造和后来维护加拿大太平洋铁路的人。你们今天聚集在一起，向几乎所有的中国人因被拒绝1923年至1947年间移民到加拿大而遭受苦难的人表示敬意，这包括在加的华人，也包括留在中国的家人和亲人。
我要感谢加拿大铁路华工纪念基金会的成员们，感谢他们让人们意识到这段历史的不朽遗产。今天，我们认识到华裔加拿大人已经并将继续为我们国家历史、身份和繁荣做出的重要贡献。我们重申我们致力于建设一个更加公平和包容的社会，在这个社会中，每个人都能获得尊重和尊严，享有获取成功机会的平等待遇。加拿大是一个真正的多元文化国家，而我们的多样性使我们变得更加的强大和坚忍不拔。
请接受我最美好的祝愿，祝你们有一个难忘的纪念。
真诚地,
(签名)
加拿大总理贾斯廷·特鲁多阁下，枢密院成员，国会议员
加拿大渥太华（邮政编码：K1A 0M5）
加拿大遗产部部长办公室(图标)
（相片）
在加拿大，人们天天都在努力建设一个拥抱每个人的开放、包容的社会。
然而，我们必须承认，我们仍有工作要做。这包括识别我们历史中的黑暗篇章，那时仇恨被允许生根发芽。今年，我们迎来了《华人移民法》（更恰当地说，《排华法案》）100周年纪念日。这项立法忽略了华人为我们国家所做的贡献，尤其是他们为修建横贯大陆的铁路所做的努力。它有效地关闭了针对所有中国移民的大门。
作为加拿大遗产部部长，我对铁路华工纪念基金会表示赞赏，感谢他们为确保我们永远不会忘记历史所做的努力。这样的活动让我们有机会庆祝加拿大华人文化，并团结起来反对各种形式的歧视和仇恨。
这一行动强化了我们的信念，即多样性是一个事实，但包容性是一种选择。
巴勃罗·罗德里格斯阁下
(签名)
(加拿大联邦政府图标)
