Vancouver council has unanimously supported the need to build a cultural centre in the city that aims to recognize, celebrate and showcase the significant contributions of the South Asian community.
The commitment, however, did not include a budget, timeline or location for such a centre.
A future staff report is expected to answer those questions, although Coun. Lenny Zhou’s desire is that the city contribute one-third of capital costs to what he described as a South Asian Centre of Cultural Excellence.
City land would also be considered.
“I also talked to a few South Asian politicians, including MPs and MLAs — they are also very keen to explore this idea and will help Vancouver to advocate and bring this centre to Vancouver,” Zhou said in introducing his motion Nov. 13 in the council chamber.
While cost is a concern, council’s push to establish such a centre in Vancouver also faces competition from Surrey, which continues to campaign for the facility to be located in the municipality
Surrey has one of the largest South Asian populations in Canada.
“Surrey stands as the heart of the South Asian community in British Columbia,” said Jasroop Gosal, interim spokesperson for the Surrey Board of Trade in a Sept. 4 news release.
“It’s the natural home for this landmark institution, which will not only celebrate South Asian heritage but also serve as a cultural hub for the entire province.”
The board of trade release was issued after the B.C. government released a mid-term report that detailed the feedback it had received in consultations across the province about the location for such a centre.
The B.C. government launched the feedback exercise in April.
More consultation is expected, but the findings so far point to Surrey as the most recommended location for the centre, with Vancouver as the second choice.
'Significant historical sites'
The rationale for Surrey being the chosen location: “Surrey presents a unique opportunity to celebrate important cultural and historical aspects. Additionally, Surrey is projected to be the largest city in B.C., surpassing Vancouver providing a unique and beneficial urban and economic backdrop for the museum.”
The rationale for Vancouver: “Vancouver boasts several significant historical sites for Canadians of South Asian heritages, such as the Punjabi Market and Komogata Maru Memorial. Additionally, Vancouver enables a vast and reliable tourist environment for the museum to benefit from.”
The report noted data from an online survey collected in the first phase of consultation is “providing general themes and sentiments, but it lacks a deeper, nuanced reflections of broader public opinion.”
Additional findings and results are expected to emerge as consultation continues, and the full data set is collated, “assessed through a community lens” and published in the final What We Heard Report sometime in early 2025.
'Discriminatory policies'
Council heard strong support Nov. 13 from members of the South Asian community for the centre to be located in Vancouver.
Jag Nagra, a visual artist and chair of the Punjabi Market collective, pointed out that Vancouver — in particular, South Vancouver — is a place of deep historical significance for the South Asian community, with roots going back more than a century.
Many of the earliest South Asian immigrants settled in Vancouver.
“They found work in sawmills, and despite facing racist, restrictive and discriminatory policies, built one of Canada's first South Asian communities,” she said.
“Over the decades, South Vancouver became a cultural and social focal point where these pioneers set down roots and made lasting contributions to Vancouver’s growth.”
Added Nagra: “While Surrey today has a large South Asian population, it was here in Vancouver where the community's foundation was laid.”
Zhou’s motion also requested Mayor Ken Sim write the appropriate provincial government minister to emphasize council’s interest in the centre to be located in Vancouver. Sim said such a centre is “long overdue,” and that he looked forward “to this just being the start of something absolutely beautiful.”
