The Regional Municipality of York is taking a new step to celebrate the many Chinese Canadians who call the region home.
Regional council is officially proclaiming the month of February as Chinese Heritage Month. The proclamation is meant to recognize the Chinese Canadian Community as having played a significant role in shaping the social, cultural and economic fabric of York Region and coincides with the Lunar New Year celebration.
Markham Regional Councillor Joe Li put forward the motion.
"Chinese Heritage Month is an opportunity to celebrate and educate future generations about the significance and contribution Chinese Canadians have made," he said.
Other Canadian jurisdictions do not recognize such a month. Canada and Ontario both celebrate the broader Asian Heritage Month in May. However, the Toronto District School Board has celebrated Chinese Heritage Month in February for a few years.
Markham Mayor Frank Scarpitti said it is an important thing to recognize, particularly 100 years after the 2023 Chinese Exclusion Act, which prohibited Chinese immigration for 24 years.
“There’s no doubt the Canada of yesterday is not the Canada of today and the Chinese community was not only important and integral to the completion of the railway in this country, but since that time, have contributed to almost every aspect of political, business, of cultural, of community groups, social services, health care, the list goes on,” he said.
Councillor Godwin Chan suggested that Li could consider adding to the motion requesting the provincial government do something similar.
But Vaughan Regional Councillor Mario Racco, who seconded the motion, said they could encourage other jurisdictions to consider this but should leave the motion as is to keep it focused on a celebration.
“The Chinese community, in the region of York, just like any other community, have contributed significantly,” he said.
Markham Regional Councillor Michael Chan thanked Li for bringing this forward.
“It's a tremendous day for York Region and the world because York Region becomes the first regional tier of government recognizing the significance of Chinese heritage,” he said. “Breaking the ice.”
