May is Asian Heritage Month in Canada, a time to reflect on and recognize the many contributions that people of Asian origin have made and continue to make to Canada.
Asian Heritage Month has been celebrated since the 1990s. In December 2001, the Senate adopted a motion proposed by Senator Vivienne Poy to officially designate May as Asian Heritage Month in Canada. In May 2002, the Government of Canada signed an official declaration to announce May as Asian Heritage Month.
The history of Asian immigration in Canada can be traced back to more than one hundred and fifty years ago when Chinese workers arrived on the west coast and joined the workers to build the Pacific Railway in the mid-nineteenth century. Asian Canadians not only physically helped to build Canada, but also culturally enriched its diversity, which has become an important characteristic of Canada.
Discover what to watch and read to celebrate Asian heritage in Canada:
What To Watch
Historic Canada: Asian Heritage Month - Visit Historic Canada and celebrate Asian Heritage Month with videos, articles, testimonies, and more.
Asian Communities in Canada - Watch these National Film Board selections to learn about and celebrate the many achievements and contributions of Canadians of Asian descent.
What To Read
To learn more about Asian Heritage Month, visit canada.ca.