Mr. Kew Dock Yip

Kew Dock Yip became the first Asian lawyer in Canada when he was called to the bar in 1945, after studying at Osgoode Hall Law School. Born in Vancouver’s Chinatown in 1906 to Yip Sang (a prominent Chinese-Canadian merchant), he overcame significant barriers to legal practice, including discriminatory laws in British Columbia that prevented Asians from practicing law or pharmacy. His legal education included pharmacy at Columbia University and a B.A. from UBC before attending Osgoode Hall.

Yip’s legal career centered on serving Toronto’s Chinese community from his Elizabeth Street storefront office, handling real estate, immigration, and criminal matters. He played a crucial role in Canadian legal history by organizing the campaign to repeal the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1923, successfully lobbying religious leaders, politicians, and the media until Parliament abolished the discriminatory law in 1947. This opened immigration for Chinese families and transformed Canada’s Chinese community.

Later in life, Yip pursued acting, notably appearing in the Hollywood film “Year of the Dragon” (1985). His memoir provides unique insights into the evolution of Chinese-Canadian legal practice, the challenges faced by minority lawyers, and the gradual integration of Asian-Canadians into the legal profession. Despite facing discrimination from both the broader community and initially his own community, Yip established a successful practice and paved the way for future generations of Asian-Canadian lawyers.

This description was written by AI and may contain some inaccuracies.