I was strolling through Chinatown with my family after having dim sum brunch, and what we saw was very surprising. The streets we once knew, vibrant and bustling, were now spoiled by litter and graffiti. Storefronts that used to house thriving businesses stood empty due to lack of customers. As a proud Chinese-Canadian, this saddened me. It made me question why such an important cultural hub was being neglected.

Chinatown is more than just a neighborhood; it is the heart of our Chinese-Calgarian culture, heritage and history in the city of Calgary. Yet, it seems that its importance has been overlooked by city officials who have not focused on its maintenance or improvement.

According to Statistics Canada (2016), over 75,000 people in Calgary identify as having Chinese ethnicity - that's about 5% of the population whose cultural heritage is tied directly to this neighborhood. But today, Chinatown does not reflect the pride and resilience of our community.

We urge city officials to recognize the value of preserving and enhancing Chinatown as an important part of Calgary's multicultural identity. We call for immediate action towards cleaning up the streets, removing graffiti, supporting local businesses struggling due to lack of customers. The City of Calgary must enact its "Tomorrow's Chinatown" plan sooner, without delay. 

We can bring back pride in our culture by ensuring that Calgary's Chinatown shines once again for all Chinese-Calgarians – past, present and future generations alike. Please sign this petition if you believe in preserving cultural diversity within our beloved city.