Rallying for Nanjing Massacre recognition

Ontarians of Asian descent gather to participate in a peace rally in support of Bill 79, the Nanjing Massacre Commemorative Day Act, at Queen's Park on Monday in Toronto. [NA LI / CHINA DAILY]

The Toronto City Council and Peel Regional Council have voted to support Bill 79.

"We have learned what happened to indigenous people in Canadian history. We have to do exactly the same thing for those who survived the Nanjing Massacre and who are still with us," said Toronto City Councillor Kristyn Wong-Tam. "We have to honour those who passed away to make sure their deaths are not in vain, their sufferings are not in vain.

"I cannot imagine what it would have been like to see 300,000 people perish for no reason within a six-week period. We have to deliver that (the bill) before Dec 13, 2017, when we can remember the 80 years of the Massacre."

Joseph Wong, founder of Toronto ALPHA, initiator of Bill 79, said that it's time to let the representatives in Queens Park know that the bill is now supported by so many people, and it should be passed.

"The bill is not to divide the Chinese community and Japanese community; it is to bring people and communities together for the core values of humanity, peace and reconciliation," Wong said.

"Although the private bill is very challenged to get through the house, this is the way for the community to engage in democracy, to help the Legislature know the community's voices," said Craig Brockwell, partner at Solstice Public Affairs.

Lisa Jai Yamanaka, a Japanese-Canadian actress, joined the rally and was co-master of ceremonies.

"My family is blended with generations of Japanese, Chinese and Canadian heritages. We were all affected by World War II. My family members all acknowledge the history. That's why I come here to support Bill 79," said Yamanaka.

"It's important for the community to show their support in addition to signing the petition," said Eric Xiao, president of the Chinese Professionals Association of Canada. "I think Ontario is a very diverse province; I think they eventually will support the bill."

Bob Lan, a representative of the 529 Rally Preparation Committee, read an open letter to the Legislative Assembly of Ontario (LAO) on behalf of the Confederation of Toronto Chinese Canadian Organizations (CTCCO), which is an umbrella organization for more than 80 Chinese associations and business chambers in the Greater Toronto Area and south Ontario.

In the letter, they called for the provincial parliament's support and requested that the LAO immediately move to pass Bill 79: "The Nanjing Massacre saw 300,000 innocent civilian lives killed by the Japanese Army within six short weeks. We believe it is equally important for Ontario to become the first the province in Canada to commemorate the Nanjing Massacre. ...We have collected more than 90,000 signatures in the petition to pass Bill 79.

"This letter is widely endorsed by more than 100 registered Chinese Canadian organizations, various associations from different ethnic communities, as well as many labour unions across the province. There is a genuine and organic desire within Asian communities to pass Bill 79."

Some prominent Japanese Canadians such as Joy Kogawa, a poet and novelist, have spoken in support of Bill 79.

"The intention of Bill 79 is not to blame the Japanese people for Japan's war crime. We bear no ill will towards the Japanese people. We believe the path to truth and reconciliation is through open and honest dialogue," Lan said.

"Signing the petition is one way to support my bill; I am going to encourage all of you to educate, to inform everybody, from your friends, your neighbors, your colleagues, what happened in the Second World War in Asia," said MPP Wong.

"This bill is not about Japanese people; it is about human rights. We live in a very peaceful country called Canada. We cannot ignore or forgot or deny this atrocity existed. We have responsibilities as Canadians to speak the truth, to prevent the history from repeating itself," MPP Wong added.