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Renewal - Parade of Ministers
Redress negotiations spanned five years with two different governments and five successive Ministers of State for Multiculturalism.
June 1984: The Honourable David Collenette expressed regret on behalf of the Liberal government for the treatment of Japanese Canadians during and after World War II and offered a $5 million foundation to fight racism.
December 15, 1984: A joint press release announced that an agreement to negotiate redress had been reached with the NAJC and the government through the Honourable Jack Murta, the Minister of State for Multiculturalism.
January 1985: Mr. Murta reneged on his commitment to negotiate with the NAJC and refused compensation to Japanese Canadians, offering instead a $6 million fund to “memorialize” the mistreatment of Japanese Canadians. When the NAJC refused the offer, he threatened to act unilaterally but backed down because of strong public opposition.
August 1985 to July 1986: The Honourable Otto Jelinek, who replaced Mr. Murta, refused to negotiate. Instead, he held firm with Mr. Murta’s offer. In January 1986, Mr. Jelinek threatened to act unilaterally but backed down because of opposition from the NAJC, media and other concerned Canadians. Mr. Jelinek refused to consider the redress proposal submitted to the government in May 1985 and ruled out negotiations with the NAJC.
July 1986 to March 1988: The Honourable David Crombie became the next Minister of State for Multiculturalism. After eight months of studying the redress issue, Mr. Crombie in a letter to NAJC offered a $12 million community fund but refused to negotiate. After the NAJC refused the “take it or leave it” offer, talks reached an impasse.
April 1988: The Honourable Gerry Weiner became the fifth Minister to deal with the Japanese Canadian redress file.
Honourable Jack Murta
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“Historic meeting between NAJC Council
and government officials representing
Hon. Jack Murta, November 1984.
(photo: NAJC)
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Honourable Otto Jelinek
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Art Miki at a meeting with Mr. Jelinek, January 1986. (photo: Bryce Kanbara)
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Honourable David Crombie
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Mr. Crombie meeting with the Vancouver JCCA Redress Committee, January 1987. (photo: Tony Tamayose)
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