This Asian Heritage Month, I was honoured to join community leaders, parliamentarians, and guests at the National Gallery of Canada in Ottawa for the Government of Canada’s official celebration recognizing the stories, achievements, and contribution of Asian Canadians across the country.

This year’s theme, “Honouring Asian Canadians: Stories that Built Canada,” reminds us of the generations of individuals and families who helped shape our communities and country though resilience, hard work, entrepreneurship, leadership, and service. Throughout the month, we reflected on the many ways Asian Canadians continue to strengthen Canada’s social, cultural, and economic fabric.

The celebration was also an opportunity to recognize the importance of diversity and inclusion in Canada’s multicultural identity, and to affirm that embracing one’s heritage and being proudly Canada go hand in hand.

Thank you to everyone who helped make this year’s Asian Heritage Month celebrations so meaningful and inspiring.