On Saturday, November 15, 2025, the city of Burnaby took a bold step toward justice by issuing a formal apology for over fifty years of systemic discrimination against people of Chinese descent. Mayor Mike Hurley acknowledged the lasting harm of policies that, between 1892 and 1947, excluded Chinese Canadians from municipal jobs, land ownership, business operations, and voting rights. 🏙️🙏
The apology capped a two-year historical review and extensive community engagement held in English, Cantonese, and Mandarin. Council members then unanimously repealed three outdated bylaws that, though unenforced for decades, remained symbols of exclusion.
Concrete Commitments
This is more than words: Burnaby's leaders pledged cultural competency training for city staff, new programs to celebrate Chinese Canadian contributions, and educational initiatives to keep this history alive. Mayor Hurley recognized that the city's actions made life harder for everyone of Chinese descent and expressed deep regret for those harms. 🤝
The apology honors the resilience of Chinese Canadians who, despite barriers, helped build railways, run businesses, and feed the region. It also marks a fresh beginning for true inclusion in Burnaby's multicultural story. 🎉🌟
With this apology, Burnaby turns a new page, showing that acknowledging the past can pave the way for a more inclusive future.
Reference(s):
Canadian city apologizes for decades of anti-Chinese discrimination
cgtn.com
