Dear friends,
Here comes a great time to promote Chinese Canadian’s social position and public image, boost Asian Canadians’ social position and confidence, and empower our combat against anti-Asian racism.
The Bank of Canada is undertaking a redesign of the $5 Canadian bank note. Won Alexander Cumyow is among the shortlist of eight candidates for selection as the next face of the $5 bank note. Won Alexander Cumyow was a pioneer who fought against systemic racism and discrimination toward Chinese-Canadians throughout his life.
MP Han Dong is sponsoring a national petition to ask the finance minister to select Won for this $5 banknote redesign. The closing time for signature is May 7, 2022, at 3:40 p.m. (EDT). The goal is to reach 10,000 signatures. This will add significant speaking power and social impact on the Parliament discussion and debate over this matter.
Here we enclose the link of the signature page, all Canadian citizens and residents can sign. It takes less than 2 minutes to sign the petition and confirm via email, but it will facilitate great changes for 2 generations if we have a Chinese-Canadian face on the currency all Canadians use everyday. Regardless of the result, the number of our signatures will bring powerful influence nationwide.
Let’s appreciate and embrace this previous opportunity to sign your important names to contribute to create a social environment that you deserve, that Won Alexander Cumyow had fought for in all his life.
Together, we act, and we make it!
A brief intro of Won Alexander Cumyow
Born in British Columbia in 1861, Won Alexander Cumyow was the first Chinese Canadian born in present-day Canada. Despite being ambitious and skilled, Won Cumyow faced considerable racism and discrimination throughout his life. Yet he was at the forefront in the fight against the Chinese Head Tax, disen- franchisement of Chinese Canadians, and racial segregation. After decades fighting for the right to vote, Won was finally able to cast his ballot in 1949, at age 88, following the repeal of the Chinese Exclusion Act in 1947.