TORONTO, August 21, 2026 – Federal MPs Vincent Ho and Chak Au held a press conference in Toronto on August 21, calling on Canadians to support Motion M-32 and formally recognize the long-standing contributions of Chinese Canadians to the country’s development.
M-32 was introduced by Chak Au in the House of Commons on May 4, with Vincent Ho supporting and seconding the motion. It proposes designating June 22 each year as National Chinese Canadian Contributions Day and the month of June as Chinese Canadian Contributions Month.
This year marks the 20th anniversary of the Canadian government’s formal apology for the Chinese Head Tax and the Chinese Immigration Act. On June 22, 2006, then-prime minister Stephen Harper delivered an official apology in the House of Commons for past discriminatory policies against Chinese Canadians. Au said that after acknowledging these historical injustices, Canada should take another step by formally recognizing the contributions generations of Chinese Canadians have made to the country.
The two MPs said Chinese Canadian contributions extend far beyond the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railway. Over generations, Chinese Canadians have played important roles in mining, agriculture, business, education, science, health care, public service, culture and community affairs.
During the press conference, Au highlighted the story of Lieutenant-Commander William King Lowd Lore, the first Chinese Canadian to serve in the Royal Canadian Navy. Lore was repeatedly rejected from joining the navy because of his Chinese background before being accepted in 1943. In 1945, he helped liberate prisoners of war held at Sham Shui Po in Hong Kong. Au said stories of Chinese Canadians who served and sacrificed for the country remain insufficiently known.
Ho also highlighted Douglas Jung, the first Chinese Canadian elected to Parliament. Born in Canada at a time when Chinese Canadians did not enjoy full political rights, Jung served in the Canadian military before becoming a lawyer and later being elected to the House of Commons in 1957. Ho said Chinese Canadian history should not be viewed as separate from Canadian history, but as an integral part of the country’s story.
The MPs said many of these stories remain unfamiliar not only to the broader Canadian public, but also to younger generations of Chinese Canadians. They hope M-32 will encourage greater recognition of this history in schools and communities and help more Canadians understand the role Chinese Canadians have played in building the country.
A public online petition supporting M-32 has also been launched. Ho and Au are calling on MPs from all parties, community organizations and Canadians across the country to support the initiative. (LJI by Yuanyuan)
