Notable Asian Canadians in History

Canada’s history is full of notable figures from different cultures and backgrounds. As part of May's Asian Heritage Month, we celebrate some outstanding Asian Canadians whose leadership and inclusiveness made a difference to our nation. We also look at Vancouver’s Chinatown and its dynamic history.   

Adrienne Clarkson 

Adrienne Clarkson is a remarkable Chinese Canadian who promoted Asian inclusivity and contributed to protecting the environment. Born 1939, Ms. Clarkson took on many challenges and careers, including author, actor, TV host, and the 26th Governor General of Canada. An advocate for the Asian community in the powerful role of Governor General, she shone a spotlight on the Asian community's contributions to Canada in the economy, environment and politics. In addition, she greatly valued Indigenous ways of living and of preserving our environment.  

Ms. Clarkson is the recipient of the Pearson Prize Medal, an honourable award given to an individual who has contributed to the changing world significantly, making her an exceptional representative of the Asian community. She has an award in her name, the Clarkson Laureateship for Public Service, which is awarded to three graduates from the University of Toronto every year for their diligent service to society. Ms. Clarkson is truly inspirational, and dissolved many stereotypes to promote a more accepting world for future Asian Canadians.

William Chong 
William Chong, 1911-2006, is the only Canadian of Chinese origin to win the British Empire Medal, the highest title given to a non-British person. In 1941, while attempting to visit his sister in Hong Kong, Mr. Chong was captured by the Japanese. Miraculously, he escaped. He then volunteered to join the British Army Aid Group of the British Military Intelligence Section, MI-9, and was known as “Agent 50,” his code name as a secret agent. His job was to deliver medical supplies, help people escape from the occupied territories, deliver messages and be an interpreter. He faked being poor by dressing in rags and by limping and walking with the assistance of a walking stick to avoid attention from the Japanese enemies. The walking stick he used was hollow, and was used to carry messages, small supplies, medicine and intelligence information. What a smart guy! During his service, he was captured three times but somehow managed to escape from the enemy every time. Mr. Chong is only one of hundreds of Chinese people who served in the British Military; his bravery and leadership show his dedication to his work and to protecting our country. His wits and intelligence left a mark in history that will never be forgotten, and shaped the past and future for other Asian Canadians. 

Vancouver's Chinatown 
Chinatown wasn’t just made by one person; rather, it was created by Vancouver's Chinese community as a whole. Chinatown was formed in the late 19th century by the Asian people who moved to Canada in the 1880s due to the Gold Rush and Pacific Railway, as they were told that these were great opportunities to earn a living. Although Chinatown wasn’t created by one individual, Chang Toy, Wing Sang and Wang Yu Shan were key players in the early days. They were notable because they paid for a lot of early building construction, and they were all part of the Chinese Benevolent Association (CBA) of Vancouver, which was considered the government of Chinatown. To our knowledge, the CBA still exists. Chinatown is now a bustling, diverse neighbourhood known for its incredible restaurants and delicious traditional foods such as dim sum.  

We are grateful to Adrienne Clarkson, William Chong, and all those who were part of the success of Chinatown for their contributions to Asian Canadian culture and to Canada at large. They and so many others paved the way for other Canadians to be difference makers too.