Wong Foon Sein

Wong Foon Sien was a journalist, community leader and labour activist. After studying law, he worked as a mediator, lobbyist and spokesperson for Chinese Canadian and Canadian rights. In 1944, he drafted and signed a petition, along with other community members of the Chinese Canadian Association, to restore the Chinese Canadians’ right to vote.

After the Exclusion Act was repealed, Wong Foon Sien and other Chinese Canadian delegates lobbied the government to further reform immigration laws that prevented Chinese immigrants from bringing their families to Canada. After decades of restrictive immigration policies, Chinese Canadian communities were a “bachelor society.”

Immigration policy reform helped families reunite and restore gender parity. Although a controversial figure in the community, he was often called “The Mayor of Chinatown” in Vancouver in the 60s.

Through his tireless actions, he helped to create a more tolerant society and more democratic country.