明报/联邦公民及移民部为平反人头税而设的“社区历史确认计划”，宣布向缅省一个华人组织拨款5万元，于当地设立一个纪念碑来纪念该省早年华裔移民的经历。
该省的国会议员特威德(Merv Tweed)昨日代表联邦公民及移民部宣布，西曼尼托巴华人协会(Westman Chinese Association)将获他们属下的社区历史确认计划拨款5万元，来设立一个纪念该省早年的华裔移民经历的纪念碑。
该会会长Kenny Choy对于今次获得拨款表示高兴。他称，该纪念碑将成为当地社区的焦点，将有助来到布兰登墓园的来访者，了解更多有关华人社区当年因这些歧视措施所饱受的影响。
该协会正计划于明年6月的清明节，于当地的布兰登墓园(Brandon Cemetery)为该纪念碑揭幕。他们除会印制有关推广单张外，届时的揭幕仪式，将配合有舞蹈、音乐及讲故等的表演节目。
特威德指出，社区历史确认计划的目的，是纪念华人社区于历史上的贡献和经历，以及当年受移民限制或战争措施影响的人士，同时也教育本国所有国民关于这些经历。
他说，该纪念碑将象征捱过如人头税、排华法等政策人士的见证，这些政策当年虽是合法，但在今日则与本国的价值观并不相符。
Government of Canada Supports Monument to Early Chinese Settlers in Brandon
BRANDON, MANITOBA–(Marketwire – Oct. 13, 2010) – The Westman Chinese Association will receive $50,000 through the Community Historical Recognition Program to establish a monument commemorating the experiences of early Chinese settlers in Manitoba.
Merv Tweed, Member of Parliament for Brandon-Souris, announced the funding today on behalf of Citizenship and Immigration Canada.
“The Community Historical Recognition Program aims to commemorate the historical experiences and contributions of the Chinese community and others affected by immigration restrictions or wartime measures, while educating all Canadians about those experiences,” said MP Tweed. “This monument will stand as a testament to those who persevered in the face of policies such as the Head Tax and the Chinese Exclusion Act, actions that were legal at the time but which do not fit the values we hold in Canada today.”
The Westman Chinese Association plans to unveil the monument in Brandon Cemetery during the traditional Ching Ming Festival in June 2011. Along with the monument, the funding announced today will also be used to support the unveiling ceremony, which will include dance, musical and storytelling performances, and the publishing of a brochure.
“This monument will become a focal point for the community and will help visitors to the Brandon Cemetery learn about the effects of these discriminatory practices on the Chinese community,” said Kenny Choy, President of the Westman Chinese Association. “We are pleased that the Government of Canada has offered its support for our project.”
Announced in June 2006 by Prime Minister Stephen Harper and formally launched in May 2008, the Community Historical Recognition Program funds community commemorative and educational projects related to Canadian historical wartime measures and immigration restrictions. For more information about the program, please visit our website.
