Asian Heritage in Canada

According to Statistics Canada, the 2001 Census found that almost 4 million Canadians are visible minorities, with Chinese and South Asians accounting for almost half of this number. Other major groups are Filipinos, Southeast Asians, Koreans, and Japanese.

In 2002, the Government of Canada officially recognized May as Asian Heritage Month. It celebrates the long and rich history of Asian Canadians and their contributions to Canada and the world. This site, launched in conjuction with Asian Heritage Month 2003, highlights some of the achievements of Canadians of Asian heritage. Ryerson University Library resources are emphasized.

With the passage of the South Asian Heritage Act, 2001, the Government of Ontario proclaimed May as South Asian Heritage Month and designated May 5th as South Asian Arrival Day, commemorating the first arrivals from the Indian subcontinent to the Americas, beginning May 5, 1838. In June, 2005, the Government of Ontario passed the Asian Heritage Act, 2005 that proclaims the month of May as Asian Heritage Month. It recognizes and pays tribute to the role of immigrants from Asia to the development of the province.

Val Ken Lem vlem@ryerson.ca