(November 17, 2019, Toronto) 400 guests attended the 2019 Chinese Canadian Legend Award Gala, organized by the Chinese Canadian Legends Association (CCLA) last night (Nov. 16). Celebrating the Award’s 20th Anniversary with the theme – “Into a New Era, On with the Legends”, the event took place at the Sheraton Parkway hotel where 6 recipients of the 2019 Chinese Canadian Legend Award were presented with the Award. The recipients, in alphabetical order, are: Rev. Dr. Sam Chan, Mr. Keith Kwan, Mr. Tim Kwan, Dr. Robert Lee, Dr. Dominique Shum-Tim, and Ms. Bing Wu.
The Gala’s opening ceremony was led by Band of Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship York, followed by a spectacular theme dance performance by beautiful young ballerinas from Georgia’s Dance & Arts Cultural Centre, set to an uplifting Chinese classic hit. The Gala also had the honorable presence of Ruth Ann Onley, wife of former Lieutenant Governor of Ontario David Onley, as special guest to perform a mini Broadway show, featuring the title song from “Sound of Music” and “Do-Re-Mi” , accompanied by 19 dancers aged 6 to 16 from Georgia’s Dance & Art Cultural Centre. Her moving melodies brought the Gala to an unforgettable Grand Finale featuring the patriotic anthem “We are the People of the Maple Leaf”. Lyrics of the heartwarming song were written by the Honorable David Onley himself.
VIPs attending the Gala included Minister of Small Business and Export Promotion Mary Ng, MP Jean Yip, Acting Consul General pf People’s Republic of China Zhang Yao Dong, City Councilors Godwin Chan, Castro Liu, Isa Lee, Deputy Director of Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office Florence Tsang, and Deputy Police Chief of Toronto Peter Yuen.
Mr. Bammy Wong, President of CCLA, says, “Ever since launching the Award, we have continued to explore and reflect on our future direction and vision. Thanks to the efforts of our team members, as well as the acknowledgment, participation and support from awardees and community over the years, the Award itself has become one of the most prestigious, influential and distinct awards. Entering a new era, we will continue to acknowledge the tremendous efforts of Chinese Canadians in contributing to the community.” He also says that ABNA is honoured to have former Senator Honourable Dr. Vivienne Poy and former Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba the Honourable Philip S. Lee as the Honorary Patrons of the Award.
There are many individuals worthy of recognition in the Chinese Canadian community, and each year, ABNA receives many nominations from the enthusiastic and supportive community. Mr. Stanley Kwan, chartered accountant and head of the selection committee, says, “The selection criteria change with the times: Although we do the same thing every year, we will listen to the voices of the community and incorporate their ideas, so that we can be objective and fair and choose individuals that deserve to be our role models.” There are 24 people on this year’s selection panel, of which 18 are past recipients, and the remaining six are from Chinese Canadian Legends Association. After lengthy discussions and a comprehensive review, six deserving individuals were selected.
Organizing Committee Co-chair Alexandra Ngan said the life stories of this year’s recipients are all unique but equally brilliant. “They are not only role models in the Chinese community, but also have impact on the mainstream society. Their perseverance in the face of challenges, outstanding achievements and generous contribution to society would prove to be great motivation and inspiration to the community.”
Mr. Dennis Au-Yeung, another Organizing Committee Co-chair, points out that, “The recipients are all Canadians who are worthy of praise. We hope that through the annual award, the unique values and beliefs, the fighting spirit and giving culture of Chinese Canadian immigrants will be passed onto the next generation growing up in the West.”
Since 2000, a total of 124 outstanding individuals have been awarded and 20 books were published to showcase their legendary stories. Mr. Stephen Siu, Chair of the Editorial Committee, stresses the importance of the book: “The Award has made its mark in history by recording and publishing stories of distinguished Chinese Canadians. Their inspiring stories will become invaluable future reference for research on Chinese Canadian immigrants and motivation for future change in the community. We have a good editorial team this year with Annie Jin and Clorie Ng as Chinese writers and the English versions written by Connie Woo and Dan Woo. The stories are fascinating and highly readable.”
The book collections are kept in the Richard Charles Lee Canada-Hong Kong Library at the University of Toronto, as well as the libraries at University of Ottawa, University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University, University of Victoria, and McGill University. Since 2018, the collections have also joined the Hong Kong Central Library, the libraries of the University of Hong Kong, Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Baptist University, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Chu Hai College of Higher Education and Canadian International School of Hong Kong.
2019 Chinese Canadian Legend Awardees Profile
Rev. Dr. Sam Chan
Since founding the Richmond Hill Christian Community Church (RHCCC) in Toronto more than 30 years ago, Pastor Sam Chan has led the church to develop into a multi-cultural, multi-lingual and multi-generational congregation. His belief in a “purpose-driven life” has effected many life changes to people inside and outside of RHCCC. The church also serves other ethnic communities besides the Chinese community through programs such as helping the poor locally, caring for the sick, and educating the next generation. Today, RHCCC has become the largest Chinese church in North America and is one of the landmarks and shining lights in the City of Richmond Hill.
Mr. Keith Kwan
With an early start as a volunteer for charities since childhood, Keith Kwan has gathered lots of community experience and leadership skills which came to fruition in 2005 when he formed a volunteer group to assist non-profit organizations in the Chinese community. While contributing greatly to the community, the group has also helped many students acquire work experience and leadership skills outside their classrooms. In 2018, Keith and his friends named their group “YOUnity In Success”. Under his guidance, many young people are able to realize their potentials and become the next generation of leaders. Keith is also invited by many institutions to share his experiences and advice in planning youth volunteer programs.
Mr. Tim Kwan
For the past 25 years, Mr. Tim Kwan has taken it as his responsibility to build senior care facilities and nursing homes to serve the elderly in the Chinese Canadian community. Since joining Mon Sheong Foundation in 1994, he has been on the Expansion and Building committees, Board of Directors, and President and Chairman of the Foundation. He is a main driving force behind two new long-term care facilities projects and independent senior living residences, and also a big promoter of private care services in recent years. A former engineer and developer, and now Chair of Mon Sheong Foundation, his expertise and experience help ensure that Chinese elders enjoy the best housing and nursing care.
Dr. Robert Lee
A visionary and a philanthropist, Robert Lee has committed much of his time, expertise and resources to building a better future for British Columbians and Canadians. Since graduating from the University of British Columbia (UBC) in 1956, he has been dedicated to giving back to his alma mater. Over the years, he has touched the lives of many and set the bar for community involvement through tireless commitment to different groups, His contributions have been recognized on many occasions from a variety of organizations with numerous awards, including the Order of Canada in 1999 and the Order of British Columbia in 1990. In 1996, he was awarded an Honorary Doctorate of Laws by UBC.
Dr. Dominique Shum-Tim
A heart surgeon at the Royal Victoria Hospital in Montreal, Dr. Dominique Shum-Tim is known as the “Contemporary Norman Bethune” for his charitable work to help patients in the remote areas of China. Besides visiting these areas to offer free clinics and treatment, he also imparted his medical knowledge to local doctors. He also became a member and later on Vice-president of Toronto’s Bethune Medical Development Association of Canada (BMDAC), which aims to promote the dedication and professionalism of Dr. Bethune, organizing specialists to visit China for exchanges and medical support. His selfless dedication has inspired many of his Canadian colleagues and counterparts in China to join the “Dr. Bethune Movement”.
Ms. Bing Wu
A self-made entrepreneur who founded her own software company, Bing Wu has fully applied her experience in managing modern enterprises to the management of her charitable work. Through her community involvement, she helped Canadian Chinese develop businesses opportunities and seek government assistance. She also extended her volunteer work to help fundraising activities of Orbis Flying Eye Hospital. Since 2006, Bing started making donations to Fuhui Education Foundation to help children and youths in poor areas of China receive education through scholarships. After retiring from work in 2011, she got involved with writing letters to the Fuhui funded students in Sichuan and led a Letter Writing Group to touch the hearts of these children.
(2019年11月17日，多倫多訊) 由「红楓傳奇協會」主辦的2019年「紅楓傳奇」頒獎晚會，昨晚 (11月16日) 在烈治文山市喜來登大酒店 (Sheraton Parkway Hotel) 隆重舉行，四百位各界人士出席盛會，一起見證本年度6位得獎人對社會的貢獻和他們的卓越成就。
今年主題是「红楓精神永延續、跨越廿載締傳奇」，表揚得奬人在加拿大努力奮鬥、回饋社會、創造人生傳奇。獲奬名單如下（依英文姓氏排列）：陳琛儀牧師、關志恒先生、關永添先生、李亮漢博士、岑穎幹醫生、武冰女士（簡介見附錄）。 晚宴開幕儀式由Band of Her Majesty’s Canadian Ship York軍樂隊帶領，接著由躍鈴舞蹈藝術中心一群活潑可愛的小朋友伴隨中文金曲”滄海一聲笑” 翩然起舞，以動感洋溢的舞蹈揭開序幕。大會也十分榮幸獲前安省省督David Onley夫人Ruth Ann Onley擔任特別嘉賓表演一場小型百老匯歌劇，演唱”仙樂飄飄處處聞”主題曲及”Do-Re-Mi”，並有躍鈴舞蹈藝術中心19位6歲至16歲的小舞員參與演出。壓軸好歌是演繹由她丈夫親自填詞、洋溢愛國情懷的名曲“We are the People of the Maple Leaf”。在她動人聲韻的引領下，本屆「紅楓傳奇」人物和嘉賓一起謝幕，共慶「红楓精神永延續、跨越廿載締傳奇」。
出席盛會的政界人士及官員包括聯邦小企業及出口促進部部長伍鳳儀、國會議員葉嘉麗、中國駐多倫多代總領事莊耀東、市議員陳志輝、廖立輝、李思韻；香港駐多倫多經貿處副處長曾菂怡，及多倫多警隊處理警察總長源植勉等四百多位嘉賓。
红楓傳奇協會會長王昆明感謝各位貴賓出席這項晚宴，使這項備受華人社區重視的盛會備增榮寵。王昆明表示：「今年正值獎項20週年。自最初舉辦紅楓傳奇，我們一直摸索和思考發展方向；憑著團隊的努力，得獎人的認同、參與，及社區人士支持，發展至今天成為獨樹一幟、極受尊重和具影響力的奬項，令我們深感鼓舞。放眼未來，我們希望透過『紅楓傳奇』繼續將華人勤奮努力，關心社區的精神發揚光大。」此外，他感謝前參議員利德蕙博士及緬尼托巴省前省督李紹麟的支持，多年來擔任「紅楓傳奇」獎項的榮譽贊助人。
今屆得奬者的人生故事各放異彩，即使來自加拿大不同省份、不同背景和界別；無論是商界、醫學界、社會服務界，都展現出他們努力奮鬥，自強不息，無私為社會作出貢獻的精神，成為加國華人的典範，正好切合「紅楓傳奇」的評選標準。
甄選團主席特許會計師關保衛表示，評選準則是與時並進：「我們雖然每年都做同一件事，但會汲取社區的意見，總結經驗，務求做得客觀公正，選出值得我們學習的榜樣。「紅楓傳奇」的提名向來踴躍，今年的甄選團共有24人，其中18人是前獲選者，另外6人來自红楓傳奇協會，經過多番討論，全面審核，從眾多的候選人中選出6位實至名歸的得奬者。」
「紅楓傳奇」籌委會共同主席顏惠霞律師表示：「多年來的獲奬者不單是華人社區的榜樣，對主流社會一樣有影響力。他們在加國如何積極面對人生、逆境自強、愛心助人的精神，都是對社區是激勵和鼓舞。」另一位「紅楓傳奇」籌委會共同主席歐陽健昌指出：「獲奬者都是值得表揚的加籍華人，他們弘揚公益以及助人的精神，對下一代有傳承作用。我們更希望將這種華人的精神文化傳承下去，讓生長在西方的下一代毋忘我們獨有的價值信念。」
由2000年至今，「紅楓傳奇」已編寫了124個勵志傳奇故事，出版了20輯專書。《紅楓傳奇》編輯委員會主席蕭顯揚認為這套叢書很重要：「我們每年都會將6位得奬者的故事撰寫成書，這是華人歷史的一部份，將他們的故事輯錄成書，更可以永遠地流傳下去。我們有很好的編輯寫作團隊，但最重要是有好的故事內容。」今年的《紅楓傳奇》由金綺文及吳翠儀撰寫人物專訪，英文部分由鍾蕙蘭及胡堅泰執筆，筆觸感人，可讀性高。」
整套《紅楓傳奇》人物專訪，現已分別收藏於多倫多大學、渥太華大學、卑詩大學、西門菲莎大學、維多利亞大學、麥基爾大學，以及香港的浸會大學、香港大學、 珠海學院、中文大學、科技大學、理工大學的圖書館。此外，香港中央圖書館、加拿大國際學校，亦有收藏《紅楓傳奇》。
2019「紅楓傳奇」獲獎者簡介
陳琛儀牧師
自30多年前建立多倫多「城北華人基督教會」，陳琛儀牧師領導教會以多元文化、多種語言及多代同堂為目標導向，本著「使命人生」的信念，從心靈改變世界，成為教與傳之光，為教會內外的人群帶來不少生命的改變，並更進一步服務華人以外的族裔社群，幫助區內窮人，關顧病者，教育下一代，以及把愛心傳送至世界各地有需要的人。城北華基至今已成為全北美最大的華人教會，也是烈治文山的地標和社區之光。
關志恒先生
從年少時即加入社區志願服務，參與過無數慈善機構，獲得的榮譽也耀眼奪目。關志恒從大學到名企穩步上升的職業道路儘管令人稱羨，但最讓他引以為豪的是對社區服務的貢獻，尤其是對年輕人的影響和激勵。2005年，他自組一個義工團體，專注於協助華人社區慈善機構，讓許多年輕人發揮潛能，為社區作出貢獻。2018年，又創立了非營利團體YOUnity In Success(“連接你我共同成功”)，也在其他大型慈善組織兼任顧問，分享其兼具對東西文化的深厚理解。
關永添先生
25年來以服務長者、建設長者護理設施和居所為己任；從長者需要出發，以「扶老持幼」為座右銘。關永添自1994年加入孟嘗會以來，一直在不同層面與崗位為大多市華人長者謀福祉；憑著曾任工程師和發展商的專業知識與經驗，從創富轉而為長者創建未來，確保華人長者享有最優質的安居之所和護理服務。時至今日任孟嘗會主席，他繼續致力延展「老吾老，幼吾幼」的精神，為長者和下一代締造更美明天。
李亮漢博士
這位富有遠見的慈善家和商家獻出自己的專業知識、時間和資源，為卑詩省以及加國人民建設更美將來，以他的慷慨愛心影響和改變了無數人的生活。自1956年從卑詩大學(UBC)畢業後，一直堅持不懈回饋母校。卑詩大學在尚德商學院設立了李亮漢研究生院，表彰李亮漢及其家人為支持研究生商業教育所做出的貢獻，並於1996年授予榮譽法學博士學位。多年來他又獲得眾多獎項與榮譽，包括於1990年獲頒卑詩省勳章，以及於1999年獲頒加拿大勳章，表揚他的無私奉獻。
岑穎幹醫生
獲譽“當代白求恩”的加國華裔心臟外科醫生醫生岑穎幹，以無私奉獻的精神，多年來堅持為中國偏遠地區病患者進行慈善診治，為窮苦病者及家庭帶來希望，他又加入了加拿大白求恩醫學發展協會，組織醫生前往中國進行交流、提供醫療支援和慈善義診等活動，每次前往中國都傾力向當地醫務人員傳授知識技術，幫助他們提高水準和更新當地醫院的設備，為人類的健康福祉不遺餘力，將白求恩醫生的無私和仁愛精神發揚光大，廣受中加兩國醫療界讚譽。
武冰女士
以助人為樂的精神，貫穿人生和創業的理念；多年來武冰堅持為社區做義工，以現代企業管理方式管理慈善專案。作為一名成功企業家，她樂於與華人同胞分享自己的創業經驗，幫助他們走上成功之路；致力在社區內通過各種管道和活動幫助加國華裔發展商機、尋找資源，並且融入本地社會。此外亦積極為慈善事業作出貢獻，如協助奧比斯眼科飛機醫院籌款、向福慧教育基金會捐款資助中國貧困地區的孩子接受教育，並擔任義工與孩子們通信及訪問受助孩子。