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[Source<\/a>]<\/p>\n Montreal Mayor Val\u00e9rie Plante this week announced that the city\u2019s historic Chinatown became its first area designated as a heritage site, making it part of <\/strong>Quebec province’s Directory of Cultural Heritage.<\/strong><\/p>\n What it means:<\/strong> The city broke the news in a press release<\/a> on Wednesday, declaring its Chinatown<\/a> as the only \u201csignificant historic Chinatown preserved in Quebec and Eastern Canada<\/a>\u201d and the only French-speaking Chinatown in North America. Officials say its registration<\/a> into Quebec’s Directory of Cultural Heritage creates \u201ca lever for cultural and tourism development.”<\/p>\n Origins:<\/strong> Established by Chinese<\/a> immigrants from West Canada after the completion<\/a> of the Canadian Pacific Railway in 1886, Montreal\u2019s Chinatown was unofficially recognized<\/a> by Montreal newspaper La Press in 1902. Several Chinese immigrants who moved into the city opened up businesses, including restaurants and laundromats like Troy Steam Laundry and Montreal Steam Laundry.<\/p>\n How it happened:<\/strong> Plante and the Minister of Culture and Communications reportedly requested<\/a> for the creation of a committee in 2021 to address concerns among community members and heritage organizations about the impact of real estate<\/a> pressure on Chinatown\u2019s heritage character. The committee reached a decision after going through a stringent analysis that sprung several recommendations, including the recognition of Chinatown as a historic site under the Cultural Heritage Act.<\/p>\n Trending on NextShark: Lululemon’s Lunar New Year ad with Michelle Yeoh draws backlash<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n What officials are saying:<\/strong> In a statement, Plante said the legal recognition is a testament to the \u201cimportance that our administration attaches to an element of cultural heritage at a specific time.\u201d Robert Beaudry, a committee member tasked with urban planning and citizen participation, said the recognition came as a \u201cresult of a long process of consultation and mobilization with local partners and residents.\u201d<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Trending on NextShark: Japanese scientists capture plants communicating with each other on video<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n Download the NextShark App:<\/strong><\/p>\n