The Stories Chinese Laundries Tell Us About Chinese Canadian History| 華人洗衣店訴說的加拿大華人史 (Hybrid In-Person)

The Story

This page is for in-person participation. If you wish to join the virtual program, please visit the hybrid virtual registration page .  本頁僅適用於親身參與之登記。如欲以線上方式參與，請前往 線上方式頁面 報名。 What can Chinese laundries tell us about Chinese Canadian history? Drawing on Chinese-, French-, and English-language newspapers and archival sources, this talk traces Chinese laundries in Canada from the late nineteenth century to the 1960s. It examines how Anglophone and Francophone narratives framed Chinese laundries through ideas of economic threat, foreignness, moral panic, and public-health danger, contributing to exclusionary policies and racialized labour practices. At the same time, it highlights Sinophone perspectives and workers’ own voices, including organizing, resistance, and community-building. Through stories of naming, narration, and migration, the talk explores how Chinese laundry workers shaped—and were shaped by—ideas of race, gender, place, and belonging in Canada. 華人洗衣店能告訴我們哪些關於加拿大華人歷史的故事？本講座透過中文、法文和英文報刊及檔案資料，追溯十九世紀末至1960年代加拿大華人洗衣業的歷史。講座探討英語及法語社會如何以經濟威脅、異族想像、道德恐慌及公共衛生風險等論述描繪華人洗衣店，並如何促成排斥性政策與種族化的勞動制度。同時，講座亦重視華文媒體及洗衣工人的自身聲音，包括他們的組織、抗爭與社群建設。透過命名、敘事與遷移的故事，本講座探討華人洗衣工人如何形塑加拿大社會中關於種族、性別、地方與歸屬的觀念，同時又如何受到這些觀念所影響。 英語講座| This is an English program.  Accessibility RPL is working to reduce barriers and offer programs where everyone can participate equitably. Please click here to email and let us know how we might make your library experience more comfortable and accessible. Information about the library’s accessible services can be found on our website, click here to explore more . Promotional Photo Guidelines Library representatives may take photos and videos for promotional purposes. If you prefer not to be photographed, please speak to a staff member. If you have any questions, please connect with library staff.