Growing the Future, 2023. Illustration by Rosena Fung.
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Original JPG File | 2000 × 1100 pixels (2.2 MP) 16.9 cm × 9.3 cm @ 300 PPI |
1.9 MB | Restricted |
Screen | 1400 × 770 pixels (1.08 MP) 11.9 cm × 6.5 cm @ 300 PPI |
433 KB | Restricted |
Resource ID
10286
Access
Open
Date of Creation
June 2023
Keywords
Chinese Exclusion Act, Chinese-Canadian heritage, Chinese history
Program Category
Education and Engagement
Rights
Heritage Toronto and Rosena Fung (artist)
Caption
Growing the Future, 2023. Illustration by Rosena Fung.
Description
Despite many challenges — the Head Tax, language barriers, prejudice, lack of social support, and the hardship of establishing a new life in a new city — the Chongs supplied food for Torontoians for over 40 years. They hired new Canadians (including non-Chinese people) and the farm was also a friendly gathering place for the city’s burgeoning Chinese community.
In 2006, Prime Minister Stephen Harper apologized on behalf of the Canadian government for the Head Tax. 2023 is the 100th anniversary of the Chinese Exclusion Act and events nationwide will commemorate and reflect on Canada’s decision to close its doors to Chinese people.
Today, Chinese Canadians continue to be an important part of Canada’s agricultural industry. According to Statistics Canada, Ontario is the main province where Chinese farm operators are settled. However, they still face a significant disadvantage compared with farm operators from the United States, who own 628.6 acres of farm on average in 2016. In comparison, Farm operators from China only own 360.2 acres on average. There is still a long way to go to offer the Chinese community equal opportunity and resources, but stories from the past give us hope that Chinese farmers will continue to grow their future in Canada.