Chu Lai (c. 1847–1906) was a businessman from Panyu, China, who migrated to British Columbia in 1860.
In 1876 he opened a general store selling all sorts of Chinese products.
Chu Lai had no difficulty finding employees because his store was a meeting-place for Chinese immigrants.
Chu appealed to the British Columbia Supreme Court, which found that the tax was beyond the powers of the province.
Chu Lai played an important role in the education of Chinese in the province, in protesting against the creation of a separate school system for the Chinese.