The Forgotten Chinese Railway Laborers—A Historical Reflection and Contemporary Perspective on the Construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway

Abstract

In order to contribute to Canadian railway construction, Chinese constructive laborers endured immense hardships and sacrifice, but they were forced to face systematic neglect in historical records and societal recognition. This paper aims to explore the background of Chinese laborers’ involvement in the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway, the unfair treatments they had endured. As a matter of fact, Canadian Pacific Railway holds a pivotal position in Canadian history, serving as a vital link connecting the country’s east and west coasts and driving national unity and economic development. However, the underlying causes of such treatment, and the contemporary rediscovery and redress of this historical fact.