Series 13 - Homeworkers Association

Homeworkers’ Association (HWA) was formed in 1992 as an organization for immigrant women who sew garments in their home. The group was comprised of and advocated for homeworkers and their workplace rights, providing training, advocacy, social activities and other support.

HWA was established as part of U.N.I.T.E. Ontario Council (Union of Needletrades, Industrial and Textile Employees). It operated under the Chinese Canadian National Council Toronto Chapter (CCNCTO) until it incorporated independently in 2007.

The Toronto Chapter of the Chinese Canadian National Council (CCNCTO) was incorporated in Ontario in 1985. The grassroots, non-profit organization is made up of Chinese Canadians in the Greater Toronto Area organizing to advance equity, social justice, and inclusive civic participation of Chinese Canadians, under an overarching respect for diversity and human rights. Major activities include public education, systemic advocacy, community development, coalition building, and providing direct assistance to individuals facing discrimination.

The CCNCTO is a local member chapter of the umbrella Chinese Canadian National Council that was formed in Ontario in 1980 (as the Chinese Canadian National Council for Equality) as an outcome of the Anti-W5 campaign protesting the irresponsible journalism of CTV. Chinese Canadians across the country had mobilized against the national television network’s W5 program segment “Campus Giveaway” (aired September 30, 1979) that depicted Chinese-presenting students as “foreigners” taking up “Canadian” spots on university campuses. In Toronto, an Ad Hoc Committee Against W5 under the Chinese Canadian Council of Ontario first gathered in support of University of Toronto students whose images were included in the segment without their consent and who took legal action against CTV. The campaign concluded in April 1980 with a public apology from CTV and the formation of the Chinese Canadian National Council for Equality and some of its first member chapters. The Toronto Chapter is a direct offspring of the Toronto Ad Hoc Committee Against W5.

A major, decades-long issue within the Chinese Canadian community taken up by the CCNC and supported by the CCNCTO was the campaign for redress among those who had paid the discriminatory Chinese head tax to enter Canada under the country's Chinese Immigration Act (1885-1947).