Asian Heritage Month

May 1, 2006

"To acknowledge the rich and lengthy history and contributions of Canadians who trace their origins to Asia, May is Asian Heritage Month. Since the first celebration held in Toronto in 1993, cities throughout the country and British Columbia are hosting festivals and activities to recognize and celebrate many Asian cultures found in Canada.

In 2001, thanks to a motion in the Senate of Canada, May was officially designated Asian Heritage Month right across the country. British Columbia is home to hundreds of thousands of Asian Canadians whose origins stretch from the area around the Black Sea to the shores of the Pacific Ocean. These heterogeneous people have enriched our lives not only from their cultural contributions but also through their great entrepreneurial spirit, creating jobs and opportunities for all who live in our province.

Since 1996 the Vancouver Asian Heritage Month Society's annual explorASIAN festival has promoted the diversity of Asian Canadian life and culture in the lower mainland during May. In its tenth year, explorASIAN celebrates pan-Asian arts, culture through education, workshops, seminars, lectures and community outreach programs. In addition, scores of musicians, writers and other artists demonstrate and promote traditional Asian culture and arts activities. Today explorASIAN is Canada's largest festival during Asian Heritage Month.

As the Parliamentary Secretary for the Asia Pacific, I invite everyone to promote and take part in the festivities that salute the heritage and contributions from our Asian Canadian population, who have helped make British Columbia the diverse and vibrant place it is today."

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