Guida ManandKeefer Wong

Opinion | Chinese women still face challenges in Canada, a century after Chinese Exclusion Act

People of Chinese origin make up just under 5 per cent of the population, even as Toronto and Vancouver recently elected leaders of Asian origin

Immigrant women experience issues with accreditation systems, a preference for Canadian experience and education and lack of affordable childcare

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Dancers from Goh Ballet perform during the National Remembrance Ceremony for the 100th Anniversary of the Introduction of the Chinese Exclusion Act, on June 23 in the Senate Chamber in Ottawa. Photo: The Canadian Press via AP

Guida ManandKeefer Wong

Published: 4:00am, 12 Jul 2023Updated: 2:55pm, 14 Jul 2023

This July marks a century since the Chinese Exclusion Act was introduced in Canada. On June 23, a plaque was unveiled in the Senate in Ottawa to mark the centenary.

While the act was in force, Chinese immigrants to Canada faced strict restrictions that made it near impossible for many to enter the country. During the 24 years the act was in place, Canada admitted fewer than 50 Chinese people in total.

Toronto’s newly elected mayor Olivia Chow celebrates her win at an election night event in Toronto on June 26. People of Chinese origin make-up just under 5 per cent of Canada’s population. Photo: The Canadian Press via AP

Canada’s Chinese community has come far since the days of exclusion. People of Chinese origin make-up just under 5 per cent of the population. Toronto recently elected a Chinese-Canadian woman from Hong Kong, Olivia Chow, as mayor. And last year, Ken Sim was elected as Vancouver’s first Chinese-Canadian mayor.

However, this does not mean that Chinese people, and Chinese women in particular, no longer experience racism, sexism and class discrimination in Canada.

The Chinese Exclusion Act and other discriminatory measures had profound and lasting impacts on Chinese women and family formation in Canada. Contemporary issues like accreditation systems, the preference for Canadian experience and education and a lack of affordable childcare affect Chinese immigrant women and their families today.

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