Canada Apologizes to Chinese Forced to Pay Head Tax (迟到一百年的道歉)
2009-09-03 09:38
Report：This was the day that Stephen Harper was expected to apologize to Chinese Canadians for the Chinese head tax. Moment ago the Prime Minister got to his feet in the house.
Harper: I speak , of course of the head tax that was imposed on Chinese immigrants to this country as well as the other restrictive measures that followed. These Chinese immigrants made the difficult decision to leave their families behind in order to pursue opportunities in a country halfway around the world they called Gold mountain Beginning in 1881 over 15,000 of these Chinese pioneers became involved in the most important nation—building enterprise in Canadian history the construction of the Canadian pacific Railway. The conditions ,under which these men worked, were at best harsh and, at times, impossible. Tragically some 1,000 chinese labourers died during the building of the CPR. But, in spite of it all, these Chinese immigrants persevered and, in doing so, helped to ensure the future of this country. But form the moment the railway was completed, Canada turned its back on these men Beginning with the Chinese immigration Act of 1885 a head tax of $50.00 was improsed on Chinese newcomers in an attempt to deter immigration The government of Canada recognizes the stigma of exclusion experienced by the Chinese as a result. We acknowledge the high cost of the head tax meant that many family members were left behind in china, never to be reunited, or that families lived apart, in some cases in extreme poverty for years We also recognize that our failure to truly acknowledge these historical injustices has prevented many in the community from seeing themselves as fully Canadian. On behalf of the people and government of Canada. We offer a full apology Chinese Canadians for the head tax and express our deepest sorrow for the subsequent exclusion of Chinese immigrants Gar nar dai doe heena Mr Speaker this apology is not about liability today is about reconciliation with those who endured hardship and the broader Chinese Canadian community one that continues to make such an invaluable contribution to this great country And, while Canadian courts have ruled that the head tax and immigration prohibition were legally authorized at the time we fully accept the moral responsibility to acknowledge the shameful policies of our past Mr speaker, in closing, let me assure the House that this government will continually strive to ensure that similar unjust practices are never allowed to happen again we have the collective responsibility today to build a country based firmly on the nation of opportunity regardless of one`s race or ethnic origin our deep sorrow sorrow over the racist actions of our past will nurture an unwavering commitment to built a better life for all Canadians Meric beaucoup thank you !
记者：今天斯蒂芬·哈珀将对华裔加拿大就华工人头税做出道歉。哈珀总理刚刚抵达了国会
哈珀：当然我指的是过去强加给来加拿大的中国移民的人头税，以及随之而来的其它限制性措施。这些中国移民做出艰难的决定，丢下他们的家人来到地球的另一边，一个他们称为金山的国度寻求机会。从1881年开始这些华人开拓者中有超过15000人参与了加拿大历史上最重要的国家建设事业——铺设加拿大太平洋铁路。这些华工的工作条件极其恶劣，有时甚至是难以忍受的。在加拿大太平洋铁路的建设过程中，大约有1000名华工不幸丧生。然而，尽管如此，这些中国移民仍然坚持不懈，从而帮助成就了加拿大的未来。但就在铁路竣工的那一刻，加拿大却背弃了这些人。从1885年的《华人移民法案》开始，为了阻止更多的移民进入，加拿大向每个新来的华人收取50加元的人头税。加拿大政府，承认这些华人因此而遭到排挤，蒙受耻辱。我们承认，高额人头税意味着许多华人家属被迫滞留在中国，永远无法与家人团聚，有的家人俩地相隔，还有的人长年生活在贫困之中。我们也意识到我们一直没有正式承认这些历史上的不公平，导致华人社区无法把自己当作真正加拿大国民。我代表加拿大政府和人民为人头税向华裔加拿大人真诚道歉。并对后来中国移民遭受排挤表示我们最深切的歉疚之意。议长先生，这个道歉并不在于我们现在的责任，而是为了与那些忍受了这些艰难困苦的人们和解，以及加拿大华裔社区还是继续为这个伟大国家作出无法估量的贡献。虽然加拿大法院已经裁决，认为当时的人头税和移民禁令有法可依，但我们完全承担道义上的责任，承认过去的这些政策令我们蒙羞。议长先生，最后我向国会保证，政府将继续努力确保类似的不公平时间永远不再发生。今天我们拥有共同的责任，秉承机会均等的理念，一起建设我们的国家不分人种或族裔。我们的深切歉疚对历史种族主义行为将会坚定我们的承诺：为所有加拿大人创造更美好的生活。非常感谢，谢谢！
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