Chinese Benevolent Association

EDMONTON CHINESE BENEVOLENT ASSOCIATION (CBA) WITHDRAWS
ITS PARTICIPATION
FROM THE CITY OF EDMONTON CHINATOWN GATE PROJECT

     The CBA was instrumental in the creation and stewardship of the Harbin Gate. For 30 years, the Harbin Gate served as a symbol of the cultural and historical bond of the city and the Chinese community, but it was removed by the city in 2017 for the construction of the Valley Line LRT.
 

     We have repeatedly offered cultural guidance and practical leadership for the Chinatown Gate Project. Despite our sustained engagement, our input has been sidelined as the project’s scope and cost expanded. The city’s approval of an $8.7 million design, at a time when Chinatown face serious economic and social pressures, demonstrates a troubling misalignment with
community priorities.
 

     The CBA cannot support a project where cultural partners are treated as symbolic rather than substantive contributors, nor can we endorse spending substantial taxpayer dollars for a single, over-budget capital item while urgent needs in Chinatown, including safety, business recovery, and sanitation remain unmet. We believe these funds would deliver greater public benefit if invested in initiatives that directly support residents and local businesses.
 

     We remain committed to advocating for the Greater Edmonton Chinese community and to supporting projects that reflect responsible stewardship, cultural authenticity, and genuine collaboration. Unfortunately, the Chinatown Gate project, as currently directed by Councillor Anne Stevenson, fail to meet those standards.
 

     The CBA will continue to work with community partners and elected officials who share our commitment to sustainable, respectful, and community-focused revitalization of Chinatown. We thank community members for their continued support in CBA and for their valued contributions with the Harbin Gate and the Chinatown Gate Project. We wish success to the collaborators of the Chinatown Gate Project.