City of Burnaby, B.C., to apologize to Chinese-Canadians for past discrimination

A plane passes behind condo towers in the Metrotown area of Burnaby, B.C., on Sunday, May 30, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darryl Dyck

A formal apology is being planned by the City of Burnaby, B.C., for its role in discrimination toward people of Chinese descent who lived and worked in the city between 1892 and 1947.

The city says in a news release that the decision was made after a community consultation process that included surveys, dialogue sessions, focus groups and individual interviews.

A report by the Community Heritage Commission, which advises council on the city’s heritage program, says discriminatory bylaws, trades licenses, and labour regulations were enacted against the Chinese population during that time.

The city says the findings “underscored the importance of the city acknowledging the hardships faced by early Chinese settlers and the lasting impact of historical discrimination.”

It noted that more than one-third of Burnaby’s current residents are of Chinese descent, including new immigrants as well as fourth- or fifth-generation Chinese Canadians who have deep roots there.

The city has scheduled an event for the formal apology on Nov. 15, joining the provincial and federal governments and two other B.C. cities — Vancouver and New Westminster — that have already apologized for discriminatory practices against the community.

The Prime Minister of Canada formally apologized in the House of Commons in 2006 for policies including charging a head tax for the Chinese to immigrate.

The B.C. government apologized in 2015 for 160 historically racist laws, regulations, and policies that were imposed by past provincial governments that discriminated against people of Chinese descent.

The City of New Westminster issued its formal apology in 2010 and the City of Vancouver said it was sorry in April 2018.

Burnaby’s news release says that in addition to making its own formal apology, it is also committed to increasing the visibility of Chinese-Canadian history, facilitating cultural activities and reducing barriers for inclusion.

“While we cannot right the historic wrongs that were committed in Burnaby, this process has outlined a path toward ensuring Burnaby is a place that is inclusive and welcoming to everyone,” Burnaby Mayor Mike Hurley said in the release issued Wednesday.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 11, 2025.