This exploration delves into the experiences of early Chinese immigrants in Quebec, focusing on Jack Wong’s narrative collected in the 1980s. Through the “Memory of an Era” project, over 1,200 life stories were documented, highlighting the challenges faced by immigrants. Wong’s journey from China to Montreal illustrates the hardships, employment struggles, and cultural contributions of the Chinese community, including the establishment of a hospital during the 1918 flu pandemic and the evolution of Chinatown.
Exploring the Legacy of Early Chinese Immigrants in Quebec
During the early 1980s, the Quebec Institute for Research on Culture undertook a remarkable project to collect oral histories from individuals aged 70 and above. Among these invaluable recordings is the story of Jack Wong, who was born in China in 1897 and made his way to Montreal in 1913. This testimony stands as one of the rare accounts we have from the early Chinese immigrant community in Quebec.
A Glimpse into the Past
The project, titled “Memory of an Era,” was finalized in 1986 and comprises over 1,200 life stories from various regions across Quebec. These narratives are preserved at the National Archives of Quebec, providing a unique insight into the lives of our ancestors. They serve as a significant source of information for understanding the everyday experiences of ordinary individuals.
During his 1982 interview, 84-year-old Mr. Wong shared his life story in detail over three sessions held at the Chinese Freemasons’ lodge in Montreal. His interviewer, Kwok Chan, a professor from McGill University’s Department of Social Sciences, conducted the extensive four-hour discussion in Cantonese, with an English transcription kept for reference.
The Journey to the New World
Jack Wong was not the first in his family to set foot in America. His father immigrated to San Francisco at the age of 17 during the latter part of the 19th century, where he worked in a Chinese grocery store selling medicinal herbs. After spending nearly 30 years abroad, he returned to China to marry with his savings. Additionally, Jack’s uncle had previously traveled and settled in Montreal. In 1913, at the age of 16, Jack was invited by his uncle to join him in what was referred to as the “Golden Mountain.” Eager for the adventure, Jack accepted the offer.
Jack’s immigration experience mirrors that of many Chinese immigrants of his time. Upon arriving in Canada, he faced an entry tax of $500, with no knowledge of English or French. His understanding of Canada was limited to the fact that it snowed in winter. Without a specific trade, he relied on personal connections to secure employment. His uncle owned a laundry in Granby, where Jack began working. There, he toiled for a year alongside two other employees, noting, “Everything was done by hand, and the work was very hard.” Their earnings ranged from $6 to $7 per week, which included room and board, as they worked long hours, often sleeping on-site.
Jack aspired to save between $8,000 and $10,000 to return home but soon realized that achieving this goal was unlikely. Furthermore, the political turmoil following the fall of the Qing dynasty shifted his perspective, leading him to decide that Montreal would be a better place for his future.
Contributions During World War I
At 18, in 1915, Jack Wong took advantage of a job opportunity at the Dominion Bridge factory in Lachine, which was crucial to the war effort, manufacturing munitions. He remarked, “Working in this factory for a week was better than working in a laundry for a month.” His time at the factory lasted a year, earning him 60 cents an hour.
After the war, Jack returned to his uncle’s laundry, which had relocated to Montreal. When his uncle returned to China for good, Jack took over the business, later selling it to another immigrant for $1,500 two years later.
At 24, he made his only visit back to China to see his family. Upon his return, he settled in Winnipeg, where he opened the Hong Kong Restaurant, which he operated for four years with the financial help of loans from friends and family.
Jack eventually returned to Montreal around 1930, renting a room on De La Gauchetière Street for $6 a month. In 1932, he was invited to join the Chinese Freemasons, where he became an influential figure within the Sino-Montreal community, earning the affectionate title of “Uncle Jack Wong.”
The Formation of the Chinese Hospital in Montreal
The Spanish flu pandemic hit Montreal hard in 1918, especially impacting the Chinese community living in crowded conditions. Cultural factors, including language barriers and a mistrust of hospitals, led many to rely on traditional remedies. Mr. Hong, a grocer and self-styled doctor, claimed that the flu was easy to treat with herbal teas, stating, “The best thing to do is to boil Wong Lau Kit tea.” Mr. Wong attributed the low mortality rate among the Chinese community to their reliance on traditional medicine, although the actual death toll was likely higher.
In response to the crisis, the Missionary Sisters of the Immaculate Conception established a makeshift hospital on Clark Street to serve the Chinese population. Following the epidemic, the Chinese Benevolent Association purchased an old synagogue on De La Gauchetière Street to convert it into a permanent hospital. Initially, it had only 15 beds to serve over 3,000 community members, which was woefully inadequate. Mr. Wong became actively involved in the hospital’s operations, eventually serving as president for nearly 20 years, volunteering as an interpreter and helping to secure funding through community donations and lotteries.
By the early 1960s, the facility no longer met health standards, prompting the construction of a new hospital funded by federal grants and community fundraising efforts. In July 1963, a plot of land on Saint-Denis Street was acquired, and the new hospital opened its doors in 1965. Mr. Wong dedicated himself to the hospital’s operations until its completion, resigning afterward. Today, the Chinese Hospital continues to serve the community, having relocated again in 1999.
The Evolution of Montreal’s Chinatown
Before 1940, De La Gauchetière Street served as the main artery of Chinatown, stretching between Saint-Urbain and Clark. The first signs of Asian businesses began appearing around 1894. When Jack Wong arrived in Montreal, he encountered aging, rundown buildings and only a handful of shops, including a Chinese Catholic church.
Many laundries operated outside Chinatown to be closer to their clientele, with Mr. Wong estimating around 700 laundries in the city, each subjected to a special tax of $50. Other common jobs for immigrants included working as cooks and maids in affluent English-speaking households. By 1921, Montreal’s Chinatown ranked as the fourth largest in Canada, following Vancouver, Victoria, and Toronto.
When questioned about racial discrimination, Mr. Wong candidly responded, “Yes! So much so that it was not worth mentioning.” However, he noted that discrimination was more pronounced in British Columbia, Alberta, and Saskatchewan, contrasting it with his experiences in Quebec.