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Redress Remix

Canadian Documentary Redress Remix
World Broadcast Premiere on OMNI Television

(Toronto – June 15, 2010) The three-part Canadian Documentary series Redress Remix makes its world broadcast premiere to Mandarin language audiences in Ontario, Alberta and BC, Sunday, June 20 on OMNI Television.

Premieres on OMNI. 2 in Ontario as follows:
Sunday, June 20 at 8pm ET (3 x 30 minute episodes back-to-back)

Premieres on OMNI in Alberta as follows:
Sunday, June 20 at 9:30pm MT (3 x 30 minute episodes back-to-back)

Premieres on OMNI in BC as follows:
Sunday, June 20 at 6:30pm PT (3 x 30 minute episodes back-to-back)

Redress Remix tackles one of the most controversial government decisions in Canadian history: the official 2006 apology to the Chinese Canadian community for the Head Tax and Exclusion Act of 1923. 

To stem the flow of new Chinese immigration to Canada in the early 1900s, the government at the time increased the ‘Head tax’ for new Chinese immigrants from $50 to $500.  When the steep cost failed to deter the more than 83,000 Chinese immigrants, the Canadian Government implemented the Exclusion Act on July 1st, 1923 that banned Chinese immigrants from Canada unless they came under titles such as; merchant, diplomat, members of the clergy, or students. 

Aside from the financial burden, the Head tax and Exclusion Act’s most devastating impact was the separation of families as early Chinese immigrants were not allowed to bring their wives and children to Canada.  In some cases, family members were never reunited.

“This insightful documentary brings to light a part of Canadian history that many people are unfamiliar with and addresses the impact both in a historical context and how it affects Chinese Canadian communities of today,” commented Madeline Ziniak, National Vice-President, OMNI Television. “

In 2006, Prime Minister Stephen Harper re-opened the question of redress. On June 22, 2006 he made an official apology in Parliament and offered $20,000 compensation to the survivors or the spouses of Head tax payers.  At that time only 20 Chinese Canadians who paid the tax were still alive.

Redress Remix uses a unique approach that includes animation techniques, newly composed music and testimonial interviews, to reveal to audiences the events that shaped the Redress movement and led to the official Government apology and its influence on a new generation of Chinese Canadians. The documentary consults a number of different ‘voices’ across Canada and abroad that include; Dr. Joseph Wong the founding president of the Chinese Canadian National Council; Trevor Chan, an instrumental hip-hop artist and music producer who discusses his grandfather’s suffering; and Simon Li former CBC radio host who now teaches Chinese Canadian history to students in Hong Kong.

“We are extremely pleased to have OMNI Television broadcast the documentary film as a mini-series,” commented Evan Jones, Co-Producer, Redress Remix. “We hope that the broadcast will encourage viewers to explore the captivating histories of these Chinese Canadians in more detail online.”

For more information about the film and the issue of Chinese Head-tax visit,
www.redressremix.ca

About OMNI Television:
OMNI™ is a free, over-the-air multilingual/multicultural television system committed to positive portrayal and broadcast reflection of Canada’s diversity through the airing of inclusive and accessible programming.  With five television stations -- in BC; Alberta (Calgary and Edmonton) and Ontario (OMNI.1 and OMNI.2) – OMNI reaches more than 23 million people in major market areas. As well as specializing in Canadian multilingual/ multicultural programming, OMNI carries well-known International series and films – including East Asian Super Cinema and South Asian Bollywood Freetime Movies. OMNI Television is a part of Rogers Broadcasting Limited., a division of Rogers Communications Inc. (TSX: RCI and NYSE: RCI) which is a diversified Canadian communications and media company.  For more information visit www.OMNItv.ca

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OMNI Media Contact:
Veronica Logue – Publicity Manager, 416-764-3196 veronica.logue@rci.rogers.com
Sandy Zwyer – Programme Information Coordinator, 416-764-3085 sandy.zwyer@rci.rogers.com