George Richie Maxwell: Prime Minister Sir Wilfred Laurier

Lam Maxwell Dept: Her great-grandfather, George Richie Maxwell, came to Canada from Scotland in 1885, according to CBC. Judy has letters from her pro-union, protectionist great-grandfather addressed to Prime Minister Sir Wilfred Laurier, demanding the head tax be increased from $500 to $1,000 and judy Lam Maxwell holds a photo of her great-grandfather close to her chest as we stand at the foot of the China Gate on Pender Street. It s an area of town that is rich with unique and fascinating stories, and Judy s personal tale is no different. Fourteen years later, he would become the first Liberal Member of Parliament from B.C. That s where the twist comes in. Lam Maxwell was vehemently anti-Chinese and lobbied to raise the now-controversial head tax. (www.immigrantscanada.com). As reported in the news.