Chinese-Canadian veteran's group issues call to remove Duff Pattullo's name from new bridge

For 83 years, the Pattullo Bridge, linking Surrey and New Westminster, has carried the name of former premier Thomas 'Duff' Pattullo. But, with a new bridge in sight, a group of Chinese-Canadian veterans are calling on the government to come up with a new name representative ofthe diverse people living across the province.

King Wan, the president of Chinese-Canadian Veterans Unit 280 said "when premier Pattullowas running the province [in 1937], it was a very dark time for ethnic people."

He said the name brings with it a sad and destructive past and reminds Chinese Canadians about a premier who they saywanted to block the Chinese community from making Canada its home and having the right to be franchised and able to vote.

"Perhaps we should name that bridge under a different name to honour those who came, I guess, you know, in the last century that have made a lot of contributions to the province," Wan said.

He said it's time to put history in the past, and while he will not push to change the name of the current bridge, he'd like to see a new name on the new bridge that isset to start construction later this year.

"I'm not suggesting it be a Chinese name or whatever .. but maybe consider it being voted on by the citizens in the area," Wan said.

New Wesminster NDP candidateJennifer Whiteside, said she's not married to the Pattullo name for the new bridge.

"It would be entirely appropriate to look for a new name that reflects the diversity of the community, a name the community can celebrate. Yeah, I think that would be wonderful," Whiteside said.

She said she would rely on the independent processes that exist already to address naming of major infrastructure projects, which would take into account the feelings of the community.

On the other side of the PattulloBridge, Surrey-Whalley Liberal candidateShaukat Khansaid the name change is one he'dalso support opening to consultation.

"As far as I'm concerned, we should always be engaging with our communities and taking input on all [of] the projects.

Both parties are in agreementa name change wouldn't be off the table, but a consultation process would be necessary to decide the correct one.

Wan said he'd like to see a vote by community members.

"A new bridge, a new beginning, a new era, it will really help strengthen our local population to be more inclusive," Wan said.

The project for the new bridge is set to start later this year and carry through until 2023.The $1.4-billion project will see a new four-lane bridge built with wider lanes connecting Surrey and New Westminster.