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British Columbia’s premier has formally apologized for racist policies that started more than 140 years ago against Chinese immigrants, calling the regulations a stain on the province’s history.

“While the governments which passed these laws and polices acted in a manner that was lawful at the time, today this racist discrimination is seen by British Columbians — represented by all members in this legislative assembly — as unacceptable and intolerable,” Christy Clark said in the legislature.

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“We believe this formal apology is required to ensure that closure can be reached on this dark period in our province’s history,” she said Thursday.

“The legislative assembly’s apology today signifies our deepest regret for the hardship and suffering our past provincial governments imposed on Chinese Canadians.”

Clark said the province acknowledges the overwhelming contribution of Chinese-Canadians to British Columbia’s culture, history and economy.