Why I support Stephen Harper?
Xiaoming Guo 郭晓明
I support Stephen Harper because his government made an official apology to the Chinese community on the head tax history. I consider this an act of upholding The Charter of Rights and Freedoms. I consider this an affirmation of the sacrifice and contribution of Chinese Railroad Workers to Canadian nationhood. Without Chinese Railroad Workers, the Pacific Railroad was impossible; without the Pacific Railroad, the country of Canada was impossible. Chinese Canadians are one of the four founding nations that established Canada.
Chinese pioneers came to North America in the Gold Rush before the confederation of Canada in 1867. They are the pioneers of the Canadian mining industry. The mining industry has been one of the pillar industries of the Canadian economy ever since. Chinese pioneers not only were the pioneers of the mining industry, but they also invented the Laundry Industry. They established Chinese food restaurants that were and always been part of Canadian culture. The Chinese Canadians fought not only for Canada in two World Wars but also fought for the universal franchise for Canadian democratic society.
I support Stephen Harper because his government made an official apology to the Chinese community on the head tax history. I consider the action was not only for Chinese Canadians but also for all immigrant Canadians. Canada is an immigration country. Recognizing immigrants’ sacrifices and contributions is the cornerstone of our Canadian nationhood.