.jpg)
on display at Taiwan Cutural Centre in Toronto
On August 23 a display introducing the Albert Lin Human Rights Award was opened at the Taiwan Cutural Centre at 888 Progress Road, Toronto. The display was opened by Taiwan's Minister of the Overseas Community Affairs Council (僑務委員會委員長）Hsu Chia-Ching, and THRAC President Michae Stainton. This is the first time that any Taiwanese Cultural Centre anywhere has mounted a display of a "politcal" nature.
.jpg)
THRAC campaign to remove inappropriate names for Taiwan on Provincial Registry sites.
In October 2023 we were made aware of a problem with names for Taiwan on 5 provincial birth/marriage registry sites. In the online drop-down menu for "place of birth" (or parents place of birth) in Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, New Brunswick, Ontario, and British Columbia , several choices were given for Taiwan, including "Taiwan, Province of China", Taiwan, Republic of China" , "Taiwan", or "Formosa".
THRAC has written to these provinces explaining the problem with these ascriptions, and urging them to simply use "Taiwan", or follow the practice of the 7 other Provinces and Territries, and have a box which the applicant can fill in. To date (August 30, 2024) Nova Scota and New Brunswick have began a discussion with us. Ontario has not replied any of several multiple approaches.
At the Taiwanese Canadian Association national convention in Toronto on June 23, THRAC presented a motion which was passed unanimously:
------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
宗旨：
敦促五個省政府從戶口網站刪除不當，對加拿大台灣人侮辱，的
“Taiwan, China” 等名稱
Taiwanese
Canadian Association National Convention
June 23, 2014
Calls on
5 provinces to end offensive names for Taiwan on provincial registry websites
The
Taiwanese Canadian Association (TCA) meeting in Toronto on June 23, 2024, calls
on the governments of Nova Scotia; Prince Edward Island; New Brunswick;
Ontario; and British Columbia, to remove the hurtful, offensive and legally
baseless labeling of Taiwan as “Taiwan, Province of China” ; Taiwan, China” and
“Taiwan, Republic of China” in the
drop-down menus for “place of birth” on your provincial registration websites.
We suggest
that you could easily adopt the usage all other provinces and territories, and
allow applicants to fill out “place of birth”, as is also the practice of the
Government of Canada , in passport applications for example.
Like almost
every country in the world, Taiwan has seen different regimes and rulers, but unlike
many countries who have been called different names (which do not appear on your drop down list) ,
TAIWAN never has been legally called anything other than “Taiwan” ,
whether under the Qing Empire (before 1894) , Japan (1895-1945) or the Republic
of China (1945 – present). The name “Formosa” which also appears on your drop
down menus, was never a legal name for Taiwan, rather just a colonial name used
by foreigners.
In Canada,
since 1970, Taiwan has always been called Taiwan in all government usage. Canada
consciously avoided recognizing the Chinese Communist Party’s claims to Taiwan when we established diplomatic
relations with them. This is why no Canadian government document ever uses
“Taiwan, Province of China”. It is
shocking that a Canadian province would implicitly
condone handing the people of Taiwan over to Chinese Communist rule, by having
such an illegal and hurtful label on your websites.
While
“Republic of China” is the official name of the state in Taiwan, this is not
recognized by Canada, nor almost of all of the world. Canada has always avoided
using “The Republic of China”, and requires that Taiwan’s representatives in
Canada also refrain from using that
name.
We condemn
without reservation your imposition of a Chinese identity on Taiwanese
Canadians, and urge you to remove these references without delay or excuse.
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THRAC Albert Lin Human Rights Award Presented to Gloria Fung March 23, 2024
.jpg)
The Albert J.F. Lin Human Rights Award for 2024 was presented to Gloria Fung (馮玉蘭) in a ceremony in Toronto on Saturday March 23. The award was presented to Ms. Fung by the wife of the later Dr.Lin, Sophia Lin (郭哲子) in the presence of about 80 guests, from the Taiwanese, Hong Kong, Chinese and Tibetan communities.
In his comments, President of THRAC, Michael Stainton explained that this award is not only a recognition of Gloria Fung's lifetime of service for human rights, but also on this day (March 23) a gesture of support to the people of Hong Kong and all who fight for its freedom, in Canada, and especially those imprisoned in Hong Kong.
The award consists of the award plaque itself, a certificate , and a gift of Canadian or Taiwanese craft art. This year it was an inuit carving, donated by Dr. Robert and Susan Liao.
.jpg)
Albert J.F. Lin Human Rights Award
林哲夫人權獎
THRAC established the Albert J.F. Lin Human Rights Award in 2014. The purpose of this award is to recognize the long-time work of people or organizations located in Canada or Taiwan for human rights, democracy and social justice. The award is given in honour of the late Dr. Albert Lin, a man who is a living example of this commitment, and who dedicated his life seeking to realize these values in Taiwan and in Canada.
The award is made annually on the recommendation of the executive of THRAC, in consultation with previous presidents of THRAC. Nominations for the award may be made by any member of THRAC, former recipients, and our partner organizations.
宗旨：2024年, 加拿大台灣人權協會設立林哲夫教授人權獎. 其目的是為了獎勵在加拿大或台灣長期對人權，民主和社會公義有所貢獻的個人或團體。本獎紀念畢生在台灣和加拿大和台灣推動這些道德價值的故林哲夫博士。人權獎每年得有一名受獎者。授獎候選人(團體) 經由本會會員, 推薦提交給理事會。得獎人由加拿大台灣人權會理事會,會同THRAC 諸位前任主席, 而決定。
.jpg)
THRAC Executive
Committee meeting minutes – Tuesday April 6, 2021
Last
Meeting , on Webex Time March 20, 2021
A special meeting
was held on Webex on March 20(all board members present)
Recent developments of military junta were
discussed in and out of Myanmar
It is decided that THRAC joined the ASEAN
democracy alliance in Toronto to support
the common cause of human rights
----------------------
The chair
called the online meeting together at 2:16 PM, all members being present.
Present Jean Chen, Edward Chung, Cathy Hong, H Robert
Liao, Michael Stainton(Chair)
Approval
of Agenda carried (information attached)
Approval
of Minutes of last
meetings (Feb 16, AND March 20) . Carried
Financial
report – Jean Chen
Checking account $7,664.98
Savings $185.08
US$ saving $2,000 (designated for Human
Rights Award)
Credit
Union Signing Authority
Proposed by Michael Stainton : Let it be
resolved that the President Michael Stainton replace outgoing President Andrew
Apack Song as new signatory while the
other two signatories, Jean Chen(Treasurer) and Robert Liao(Secretary), continue with signing authority for THRAC at
Taiwanese Credit Union in Toronto. Dated April 6, ’21. Passed unanimously.
(Michael is to contact their office to sign
the paper to bring status up to date)
Reconnecting
with membership
After our March 20 meeting, an E-mail was
sent to some 72 members (on THRAC membership email list) asking them to confirm their continuing
support of THRAC, but we received zero response. How to woo them back was discussed, using
other Taiwanese social groups pages, LINE for TCAT and Women’s group were suggested. (No LINE for THRAC for now)
Wall-fare
pen pal project
(information attached)
Michael
moved that we encourage members to write letters to prisoners in Hong Kong.
This will give our members a way to connect personally with human rights and
THRAC. Carried.
We are to start the project by THRAC board
members each writing a letter and see how it works out. Agreed that THRAC
donate USD170.00 to Wall-fare to cover their cost of 13.7 per month for 12
months.
Co-operation
with other Asia human rights groups
No new formal coalition of human rights groups
has yet formed in Toronto, but we are
co-operating
over Hong Kong, Uyghur and Myanmar issues.
Michael has proposed a Boycott “Made in China” clothing/ support H&M
& Buy Australian wines campaign to the other human rights groups. Still in
discussion.
He and Judy Nagata participated in the rally
for Myanmar on March 27 to show THRAC support. The rally had a good turn-out of
70-80 people for an allowable gathering
of 50 by Covid restrictions. The Myanmar
group in Toronto appears to be well organized and able to effectively generate some
support in the Parliament in Ottawa
THRAC
banner
Budget of up-to $300 approved for making 2
banners able to use in outdoor
rallies, preferably of plastic. Michael will contact
Jimmy Yin to proceed with the above)
Things
Canada can do to support Taiwan
Media in Canada tend to put aside Taiwanese
issues for most other more urgent matters.
Other human rights groups are willing to help us promote Taiwan issues.
Canada in
1970 was the only West country clearly separate Taiwan from China with our
one-China policy (never associated Taiwan with China, let alone belonging). We will urge Canada to sign the pending FIPA
with Taiwan, support Taiwan’s entry into the CPTPP and recognise Taiwan when time and name are right.
Human
Rights Award
Noted, will
begin publicizing at annual meeting. All
THRAC members, and allied human rights
organizations can nominate people or groups for this award.
Annual
meeting
Agreed to hold on Saturday, June 19 at 2 pm,
whether in person or online.
Idea of doing a play and drawing help from
Sue Liau(廖淑媛) are mentioned
Conservative
Party Cross-Culture Engagement Team
Ed Chung reported on their invitation to
leaders of multicultural groups in Canada to join.
Agreed that
THRAC cannot join as an organization but we strongly encourage Taiwanese
community leaders to participate.
Next
meeting
At the call of the Chair
Meeting
adjourned at 4:13 pm
THRAC UPDATE February 25,
2021 加拿大台灣人權協會消息
THRAC President Andrew Song
signs joint letter to International Olympic Committee asking that the 2022
Winter Olympics be moved from Beijing because of the ongoing human rights
violations in China .
New (Old) President
史邁克 牧師 接任 THRAC 會長
On February 16 THRAC
Executive Committee met. President
Andrew Song submitted his resignation for health and personal reasons. After
encouraging him to remain, the board accepted his decision. Former President
Michael Stainton was invited to attend the (online) meeting and agreed to
rejoin the Executive Committee. The Committee then elected Michael Stainton as
President of THRAC , as provided for in
the bylaws of THRAC.
Report from Chair
會長邀請THRAC 會員用email聯絡 , 確定要繼續參加THRAC. (會費暫緩到下次會員大會)
-will write letter to THRAC
members to reconnect and renew their interest in the organization
-will send letter to Hong Kong
human rights group as new chair to reaffirm our support
-plan to write article to
Globe and Mail as chair of THRAC (on Canada’s one China Policy)
-looking forward to annual
meeting and a separate Human Rights Award meeting post-Covid
