November 2, 2005
Chinese Canadian Veterans
MLA Statement

November 1 to November 7 is proclaimed as Chinese Pioneer Week, and this Saturday marks the beginning of Veterans Week, running until Remembrance Day on November 11.

There are many we honour, but one group I wish to talk about today are veterans whose own country denied them citizenship or the right to vote. Despite their willingness to serve and their unwavering loyalty to Canada and the Crown, Chinese Canadians were not allowed to serve in our military at the outbreak of World War II. This discrimination continued until Japan entered the war, when the government finally relented and allowed Chinese Canadians to serve their country. Hundreds immediately enlisted.

Many volunteered — in greater numbers than any other groups of Canadians — for the Special Operations Executive, an elite British-led unit. Operating undercover in China and the Asian sphere, they faced numerous and near-suicidal missions. By the time the war was over, more than 600 Canadians of Chinese ancestry had served their country with honour.

Not only did these veterans fight for freedom, they also fought for something else. They fought for equality in their own country. Two years after the war, parliament gave Chinese Canadians the vote.

I would like to express my deepest admiration to the Chinese Canadian veterans and thank them not only for their service to our country but also for their determination in their fight for equality. I especially recognize veterans Bill Chong of Nanaimo, Gordy Quon of Victoria, Roy Mah and Willy Chong of Vancouver, and Dodson Mah, Frank Wong, Gim Wong and Howe Lee of Burnaby for their outstanding contribution to our country and for their continuous effort to educate us about the history, lest we forget.