(January 20, 2025, Toronto) The annual Chinese Canadian Legend Award, with a 2025 theme of “Strive to Thrive” is accepting nominations effective today to select 6 Chinese Canadian legends who have made outstanding contributions in Canada.

Since 2000, the Award was presented by Asian Business Network Association (ABNA), until 2019 when the newly inaugurated Chinese Canadian Legends Association (CCLA) took over, with a total of 142 outstanding individuals awarded and 23 books published to showcase their legendary stories. Mr. Bammy Wong, President of both ABNA and CCLA, states that CCLA’s mission is to promote and recognize the achievements of and strengthen the contributions of Chinese Canadians. In addition, it also aims to promote and facilitate intercultural understanding and mutual respect for diversity in communities.

CCLA is honoured to have former senator the Honourable Dr. Vivienne Poy as Honourary Chair of the Advisory Committee, former Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba the Honourable Philip Lee as Honourary Advisor, Ms. Alexandra Ngan and Mr. Dennis Au-Yeung as Co-Chairs of Organizing Committee, Mr. Stanley Kwan as Chair of Selection Committee, Mr. Stephen Siu as Chair of Editorial Committee, Mr. Glenn Chan as Chair of Operation Committee, and Ms. Viola Poon as Secretary.

Organizing Committee Co-Chair Alexandra Ngan says that the main purpose of the Chinese Canadian Legend Award is to recognize the outstanding achievements of legendary individuals while inspiring a positive approach to life, resilience in adversity and a helping heart. The 2025 theme for CCLA is “Strive to Thrive” – the Award Recipients’ stories will inspire others to overcome hardships and succeed by perseverance and courage.

Organizing Committee Co-Chair Dennis Au-Yeung urges everyone to nominate in support of this 24th round of the award so that Chinese Canadians with exemplary contributions to their communities will be duly recognized. And in sharing their legendary stories others will be inspired to strive and further public welfare.

Selection Committee Chair Stanley Kwan says that nominations are open to anyone, regardless of position, gender, age, or economic status, as long as the nominee agrees to be nominated. Exceptions are elected federal, provincial and municipal representatives who are in office. The committee will consider nominees’ personal contributions and their motivating impact on their friends and their community.

Editorial Committee Chair Stephen Siu says that every legendary story adds to the fabric of the Chinese Canadian experience. Winners’ inspirational stories are published in a book each year that become invaluable resources for future students and researchers of  Chinese Canadian history. 

These books are now collected in libraries at the University of Toronto, University of Ottawa, University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University, Victoria University, McGill University, Hong Kong Baptist University, University of Hong Kong, Zhuhai College, Chinese University, Libraries of the University of Science and Technology and Polytechnic University, and the Canadian International School as well as the Hong Kong Central Library. 

Operation Committee Chair Glenn Chan shares that CCLA has also committed to participating more actively in community work. Over the past few years, a team of nearly 100 volunteers has been established, including more than 60 teenagers.  This will encourage and train young people to serve the community and build a better future. 

Nominations are accepted until February 28, 2025. Nominations must include the names of the nominator and nominee, their contact information such as addresses, telephones and email addresses and a biography of up to 1000 words. Nomination forms can also be downloaded from www.cclegends.ca and emailed to info@cclegends.ca . All nomination information will be kept confidential.

The 2025 CCL award gala will be held on Saturday July 19 at the Sheraton Parkway Hotel in Markham. For inquiries, please visit www.cclegends.ca 

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