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Winter
2005
Canadian
Pacific Railway Employee Communications
Room 500 401-9th Ave S.W. Calgary AB T2P
4Z4
Coin Honors Contribution of
Chinese Construction Workers
Bob Kennell - CPR
Archives
Left: New two-tone,
eight-dollar coin (eight is a very auspicious number in China) shows
construction workers ride aboard empty ballast cars on the CPR bride spanning the
Fraser River, near Cisco, B.C. Right: The second coin in the commemorative set
shows the memorial to Chinese railway construction workers, designed by Eldon Garnet
for the City of Toronto.
As we prepare to celebrate our 120th
Anniversary in 2005, the Royal Canadian Mint has struck a set of two coins to
commemorate both the completion of CPR's transcontinental rail line, in November
1885, and the significant contribution of Chinese railway construction workers.
Thousands of Chinese workers - hired by federal government contractor, Andrew
Onderdonk, before the transcontinental line was turned over to the CPR - toiled
under harsh conditions through the Monashee Mountains of British Columbia to lay the
groundwork for the railway. Many lost their lives.
At a ceremony to launch the coins Judy Harrower, general manager of domestic
intermodal services, recognized the important role the Chinese played. "The
many Chinese who died in the construction of North America's first true
transcontinental railway probably did not know the scale of the project in which
they were involved. Neither did they know that they were helping to build a nation
that today honors their sacrifice, a nation in which the value of each and every
life is held in sacred trust".
Judy went on to announce that CPR has made plans to honor the contribution of the
Chinese railway builders "in the most visible way we can, by naming a station
in British Columbia after one of the contracted workers". Although the exact
location of the station is yet to be determined, it will be just west of Kamloops.
The Kamloops area is an appropriate location, as it will eventually be home to a
museum commemorating the Chinese railway builders.
The first coin in the new set depicts a scene from a photograph in the Canadian
Pacific Railway Archives collection, of an empty ballast train standing on the rail
bridge spanning the Fraser River near Cisco, B.C., in 1886. The second coin features
a memorial to commemorate Chinese railway workers, designed by artist Eldon Garnet,
in 1989, for the City of Toronto.
The obverse of each coin features the effigy of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II. The
two coins are certified 99.99% fine silver with a gold plated inner core, and are
limited to 20,000 sets worldwide.
Canadian Pacific Railway Names
Kamloops' Interchange in Honour of Chinese Rail Worker
27 May 2005 -
Kamloops, B.C.
Paul Clark, VP Communications and Public
Affairs, Canadian Pacific Railway and Kevan Jangze unveil the Cheng Interchange
sign.
Canadian Pacific Railway continues to honour the significant role of Chinese
railway labourers during railway construction more than 120 years ago. In a ceremony
highlighted by a Lion Dance that symbolizes good luck and good blessings, Canadian
Pacific Railway named a railway interchange in Kamloops in honour of Cheng Ging
Butt, a railway labourer who represented the dedication of those who came forward to
work on the CPR transcontinental line in the B.C. interior.
Thousands of Chinese railway workers helped build the Canadian Pacific Railway from
the West Coast to Eagle Pass in the Monashee Mountains of Western Canada and many
perished.
"Cheng Ging Butt is representative of the extraordinary people who withstood
hardships to not only help build a railway, but a nation, as well," said CPR
Vice President, Paul Clark. "The Cheng Interchange also symbolizes the
important role Chinese railway workers made in the development of the entire railway
industry in Canada. In recognizing all Chinese workers for their sacrifices, CPR is
paying our deepest respects and gratitude."
Joining the CPR at the ceremony were members of Cheng Ging Butt's family,
representatives from the Chinese community in Kamloops and officials from the City
of Kamloops.
"Our Grandfather was just one of many Chinese men who worked on this railway.
These men accepted the risks involved and many perished; but most survived. Our
family was fortunate that our grandfather not only survived but also prospered after
working for the CPR," said Cheng Ging Butt's descendent, Kevan Jangze.
"Today, our children are fourth generation Canadians, and have strong ties to
the history of Canada. We are proud to be Canadian and are privileged that our
grandfather chose to come to Canada to work for the CPR."
The Cheng Interchange is located just east of the CPR Station in Kamloops on Lorne
Street. An interchange is a key part for any railway, as it keeps the efficient flow
of rail cars from one railway to another. The Cheng Interchange is the central
junction point for freight and passenger rail service in Kamloops.
Mayor of Kamloops, Mel Rothenburger, welcomed the designation of the Cheng
Interchange. "This is a fitting honour for all Chinese residents in Kamloops
and across the country whose forefathers built the railway. As well, it
demonstrates the role Kamloops played as a centre for western railway construction
and the fact it continues to be a rail hub for CPR."
In addition to the Cheng Interchange, Canadian Pacific Railway announced a special
monument in honour of Chinese rail workers would be unveiled in Kamloops later this
year.
Clark added what Cheng Ging Butt and the thousands of other Chinese railway workers
did many years ago made it possible for CPR to embark on its recently announced
$160 million western corridor expansion project. "Their hard work and
dedication to open up the west many years ago makes our company's current expansion
possible, which will benefit Canada's economy for the future."
About Cheng Ging Butt
Cheng Ging Butt was born in Southern China's Guangdon province in 1858, came over to
work on the railway as one of the thousands who emigrated to Canada between 1881 and
1885. After 1885 when he had completed his railway construction work with CPR, Cheng
Ging Butt settled by the tracks near Yale, where he ran a dry goods store, a temple
and farmed cherries, which he and his children sold to CPR's dining car staff and
passengers on passing trains. Married with eight sons and two daughters, he also was
the founder of the Cheng Association in Vancouver. Cheng Ging Butt passed away in
1930.
About Chinese Railway Labourers
Between 1881 and 1885, 17,007 Chinese arrived in Canada (according to an 1885 Royal
Commission on Chinese Immigration). Up to 9,000 of them worked building the railway
for the federal government from Port Moody to Savona and for CPR through to
Craigellachie, B.C., during the 19th century - from the West Coast to Eagle Pass in
the Monashee Mountains of western Canada. They helped greatly to achieve a united
Canada.
This Momentum magazine article is copyright 2005 by
Canadian Pacific Railway and is reprinted here with their permission. All
photographs, logos, and trademarks are the property of the Canadian
Pacific Railway Company.
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