'This is hate': West Vancouver homeowners, local MLA want racist land covenants removed
When Michele Tung applied to renovate her West Vancouver home, she had to obtain the original land title from the 1950’s. She knew some homes of that era in the British Properties had racist land covenants, but was still shocked to see it right there in black and white.
“Upon reviewing the document, there was a clause that said no cows, no pigs were allowed on the property. Below that, it said no one of "African or Asiatic" descent was allowed to reside or occupy the premises, unless they were a servant,”said Tung, who added the first thing she felt was humiliation.
“Here is a document that says someone of my skin tone, of my ethnicity is inferior to someone of a lighter skin tone. I am coming below that of animals, farm animals. It’s very dehumanizing,” said Tung.
While the race-based covenants were deemed illegal in the 1970s and aren’t enforced, some homeowners say the language is hurtful and should be removed entirely.
“It’s no question these are racist, they are hateful covenants, and they do not represent the current society’s values,” said West Vancouver resident Yashar Tashakkor. “Unless somebody takes leadership and voices that this is important and something needs to be done, I don’t think it’s going to be done on its own.”
The homeowners now have an ally in West Vancouver-Capilano MLA Karin Kirkpatrick, who has tabled a private members bill asking the provincial government to take action.
“They are the ones that manage the land titles, and they’re the ones that can change the law to allow us to remove these covenants altogether,” said Kirkpatrick.
Currently the convenants are simply being crossed out. Tung and Tashakkor say that’s not good enough.
“I think it’s important that we completely get rid of them to demonstrate what our society stands for and what is important,” said Tashakkor.
"There needs to be some sort of legislation change in terms of actually removing the language versus just striking them out,” said Tung. “So having MLA Kirkpatrick championing this is just amazing.”
If the NDP government backs the Liberal MLA’s private members bill, the challenge will be locating all the properties with racist covenants. Kirkpatrick is confident it can be done.
“There is a lot of technology now that allows us to search out and find these covenants” she said. “It’s going to be a big project, but I think it’s the provincial government’s obligation to take it on.”
Tung is hopeful it’s going to happen, and looks forward to getting a new land title document without the racist covenant.
“There is no place for language like this,” she said. “This is hate, this is not of our times, and we need to move beyond that.”
CTVNews.ca Top Stories
From outer space? Sask. farmers baffled after discovering strange wreckage in field
A family of fifth generation farmers from Ituna, Sask. are trying to find answers after discovering several strange objects lying on their land.
Broadcaster and commentator Rex Murphy dead at 77: National Post
The National Post is reporting that Rex Murphy, the pundit and columnist who hosted a national call-in radio show for decades, has died.
Pearson gold heist suspect arrested after flying into Toronto from India
Another suspect is in custody in connection with the gold heist at Toronto Pearson International Airport last year, police say.
Millions of cyberattacks per hour as B.C. government investigates multiple breaches
Careful attention to government statements and legislation is required to get a handle on the level of risk British Columbians’ information is under, as investigators probe multiple breaches under a continued barrage of attacks.
Ontario family receives massive hospital bill as part of LTC law, refuses to pay
A southwestern Ontario woman has received an $8,400 bill from a hospital in Windsor, Ont., after she refused to put her mother in a nursing home she hated -- and she says she has no intention of paying it.
Debate on abortion rights erupts on Parliament Hill, Poilievre vows he won't legislate
A Conservative government led by Pierre Poilievre would not legislate on, nor use the notwithstanding clause, on abortion, his office says, as anti-abortion protesters gather on Parliament Hill.
Justin and Hailey Bieber are expecting their first child together
Hailey and Justin Bieber are going to be parents. The couple announced the news on Thursday on Instagram, both sharing a video that showcases Hailey Bieber's growing belly.
Here are the ultraprocessed foods you most need to avoid, according to a 30-year study
Studies have shown that ultraprocessed foods can have a detrimental impact on health. But 30 years of research show they don’t all have the same impact.
New 'Lord of the Rings' film coming in 2026
The Oscar-winning team behind the nearly US$6 billion blockbuster 'Lord of the Rings' and 'The Hobbit' trilogies is reuniting to produce two new films.