Do you know a historic place associated with the history of the Chinese community in British Columbia that is important to you or your community? If you do, now is your chance to nominate it to be formally recognized for its heritage value.

The Province is seeking nominations from the public of historic places with significance to B.C.’s Chinese community that reflect the development and history of the province, Teresa Wat, Minister Responsible for Multiculturalism announced today.

Approximately 10 of the nominated historic places will be officially recognized by the Government of British Columbia and placed on the BC Register of Historic Places and the Canadian Register of Historic Places.

The announcement is the first milestone in the Historic Places Project. It marks the beginning of implementation of eight legacy recommendations made in the Chinese Historical Wrongs Consultation Final Report issued in May 2014. It is also the first announcement made about the projects since the formation of the Legacy Initiatives Advisory Council in October 2014.

The Legacy Initiatives Advisory Council is working with Chinese-Canadian communities and other key partners to advise government on project implementation and to ensure that the projects are known and communicated throughout the province.

Heritage BC, a not-for-profit, charitable organization, is contracted to administer the nomination process. Its mandate is to support heritage conservation through advocacy, training and skills development, capacity-building in heritage planning and funding through the Heritage Legacy Fund.

The BC Register of Historic Places lists more than 3,400 historic places that have been formally recognized or protected by the Province or a local government. The Canadian Register of Historic Places currently includes 97 records for historic places in British Columbia with Chinese-Canadian heritage values.

Anyone can submit their nomination through the Heritage BC website at: www.heritagebc.ca

The deadline for nominations is Feb. 20, 2015.

Quotes:

Ministry of International Trade and Minister Responsible for the Asia Pacific Strategy and Multiculturalism -

“Today’s announcement is the first step of many towards the implementation of the Chinese Historical Wrongs Legacy Projects, with more to come over the next year. The project is the result and inspiration of the Chinese Historical Wrongs Consultations, where many participants advocated the preservation of Chinese Canadian cultural history. This will help create that legacy, and I appreciate that the Legacy Initiatives Advisory Council is very involved in working to develop the other projects.”

Minister of Forests, Lands and Natural Resource Operations Steve Thomson -

“Recognition of sites that have historical significance to Chinese Canadians will serve as an opportunity to celebrate British Columbia’s diversity, and recognize and acknowledge the contributions Chinese Canadians have made to the province - both past and present.”

Legacy Initiatives Advisory Council co-chair David Choi -

“Since its formation in October, the LIAC members have been hard at work on the legacy projects. This is another example of government working with the community to recognize our cultural heritage for the benefit of all British Columbians.”

Legacy Initiatives Advisory Council co-chair Henry Yu -

“The history of the Chinese in B.C. is more than just Vancouver and Victoria. Chinese Canadians have been in every part of the province since they first arrived. This project will recognize their long and continued presence in this great province.”

Learn More:

To nominate a historic place as part of this project: www.heritagebc.ca

Canadian Register of Historic Places: www.historicplaces.ca

Check out B.C. Heritage Stops: www.heritagebcstops.com/

For a complete list of Legacy Initiatives Advisory Council members and to view draft work plans for the legacy initiatives: www.embracebc.ca/embracebc/community/apology_for_historical_wrongs.page?WT.svl=Centre

View the Chinese Historical Wrongs Consultation Final Report and Recommendations: www.newsroom.gov.bc.ca/downloads/Chinese_Consultation.pdf

EmbraceBC - Province of B.C. multiculturalism site: www.embracebc.ca

Media Contacts:

Media Relations
Ministry of International Trade and Responsible for the Asia Pacific Strategy and Multiculturalism
250 356-7293