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The best thing one can say about the Chinese sign controversy in Richmond, which sprung up again this week, is that at least the city’s mayor has the right take on the issue.

Malcolm Brodie said he was surprised that Richmond council wanted to explore again the issue of restricting Chinese business signs, having considered and rejected the notion twice, in 2013 and 2015, according to a CBC report.

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On Monday, council was being asked to consider a bylaw that would clarify the type of signs allowed in an effort to declutter windows when an amendment was proposed by Coun. Bill McNulty requiring “that all future signage require a minimum of 50 per cent of one of Canada’s official languages.”

The motion passed 5-4, with the mayor voting against it.

“I was surprised that this idea came up again because as far as I was concerned we had thoroughly debated this issue a couple of years ago,” Brodie told CBC.