Canada's New Government Celebrates Asian Heritage Month

May 03, 2007

OTTAWA - The Honourable Jason Kenney, Secretary of State (Multiculturalism and Canadian Identity), today invited Canadians to join in celebrating Asian Heritage Month during the month of May.

"I invite all Canadians to join in the celebrations, and in so doing, to reflect upon the significant ways in which Asian Canadians have helped shape our nation," said Secretary of State Kenney. "Canada's multiculturalism has been strengthened by those with ancestry tied to a vast and diverse Asian region that spans Central and West Asia, South Asia, Southeast Asia, and East Asia. In 2001, Canada was home to more than 3,000,000 people that have personal ties with this region, and with Canada becoming a home to more Asian newcomers than ever in the past, the contributions of Asian Canadians will continue to grow."

May was officially declared Asian Heritage Month in 2001. This year, Canada's New Government will launch Asian Heritage Month celebrations on May 3, on Parliament Hill. This event is being presented in partnership with the Ottawa Asian History Month Society.

Secretary of State Kenney will also participate in community screenings of a new documentary, I am the Canadian delegate, produced and directed by Mr. Wesley Lowe. The film documents the life of Mr. Douglas Jung, a World War II veteran, and the first Chinese-Canadian Member of Parliament. "We are proud to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the repeal of the Chinese Immigration Act of 1923 and the enfranchisement of Chinese Canadians, as well as the 50th anniversary of the election of the first Chinese-Canadian Member of Parliament, Mr. Douglas Jung, who was elected as a member of the Progressive Conservative Party."

Many different organizations throughout Canada have planned an exciting array of activities in honour of Asian History Month. For more information, visit the Canadian Heritage website for a list of activities and events across the country.

For more information, please visit:

http://www.pch.gc.ca/progs/multi/asian-asiatique/index_e.cfm