Monument of Canadian Chinese, Vancouver

The Monument of Canadian Chinese is a memorial commemorating the Chinese people's contribution to Canada's history, and is located on the edge of Vancouver's Chinatown area.

The monument is constructed of light coloured rock, flanked by two bronze statues. One of the statues is a railway worker, set to commemorate the many thousands of Chinese who worked to help lay track for the transcontinental railroad, and some of whom lost their lives while performing this back breaking labour. The other statue is a World War II soldier, honouring the Chinese-Canadians who enlisted to fight in the war. Their bravery eventually earned them the right to vote in 1945, and furthered their acceptance in the mainstream Vancouver society. This monument also serves as a focal point for the Remembrance Day ceremonies in Chinatown.

Furthermore, it serves as a reminder of Vancouver's multiculturalism, much as a testament to the hundreds of Canadian residents of Chinese descent who have paid the ultimate price helping to make Canada great. Vancouver would not be the city it is today without the sacrifices of thousands of Chinese people, and the Monument of Canadian Chinese is Vancouver's way of acknowledging their place in the country's history.