Events
May 1, 2017
Over one thousand members of the Vietnamese Canadian community gathered on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on May 1st 2017 to witness the first ever flag raising ceremony in honour of Journey to Freedom Day. In remembrance of April 30, the community and federal parliamentarians raised the Canadian flag and the Vietnamese Freedom and Heritage flag to commemorate the perilous journey of Vietnamese boat people refugees after the fall of Saigon in 1975, and their arrival in Canada. Flag Raising … Continue reading →
April 30, 2017
On April 30th, Senator Thanh Hai Ngo attended the Vietnamese Heritage and Freedom flag raising ceremony at Mel Lastman Square in Toronto to commemorate Journey to Freedom Day in memory of those who lost their lives at sea to escape communism in search of freedom and democracy. In the spirit of Canada’s 150th anniversary, this event observed the Fall of Saigon which took place on April 30th, 1975, by honouring the veterans who served their country and who made the … Continue reading →
April 29, 2017
On April 29, 2017, the Honourable Senator Ngo attended the Toronto flag raising ceremony of the symbolic Vietnamese Heritage and Freedom flag at Queen’s Park in commemoration of Journey to Freedom Day. This historic event, organized by the Vietnamese Association of Toronto and The Vietnamese Veteran’s Association was spearheaded by the Ontario PC Party and Patrick Brown to mark the first flag raising in Queen’s Park. On this national day of commemoration, Vietnamese veterans and their families remembered the great sacrifices made in effort to find freedom and democracy after the fall of Saigon … Continue reading →
April 26, 2017
On Wednesday, April 26th, 2017, Senator Thanh Hai Ngo was invited to the Ontario Legislature at Queen’s Park to attend the second anniversary for the Journey to Freedom Day. The recognition event was held in honour of all Vietnamese refugees, the Vietnamese Freedom and Heritage Flag, and Canada’s generosity towards the community since their exodus and resettlement. Members of the Provincial Parliament wore the Vietnamese Freedom Scarves, including MPP Julia Munro who spearheaded the event and made a special statement … Continue reading →
April 1, 2017
Senator Ngo was invited by the Republic of Vietnam Veterans Association of Ontario to attend their annual dinner to observe the Fall of Saigon in April 1975 in Mississauga. He was the keynote speaker and was joined by fellow dignitaries including Patrick Brown, the leader of the Progressive Conservative Party of Ontario and Ontario’s Leader of the Official Opposition. This is part 1 of 2 claims as the dates in this trip vary over two fiscal years. For more pictures, … Continue reading →
March 25, 2017
Senator Ngo attended the Two-Sister (Trung Sisters) Commemoration Event as the keynote speaker to honour two historical heroines from 40CE-43CE who led the Vietnamese people against foreign denomination in the early part of the first century. The event was co-organized with three of the largest Vietnaemse Canadian organizations in the Greater Toronto Area: the Vietnamese Association, Toronto; the Vietnamese Cultural Society; and the Former Thu Duc Reserves Officer Cadet Association of Ontario. For more pictures, please click here.
March 18, 2017
Senator Ngo was invited to attend the annual gala hosted by the Golden Age Village for the Elderly as the keynote speaker, along with other Parliamentarians and politicians from the Greater Toronto Area. The Golden Age Village for the Elderly supports the efforts if building homes and residences for seniors within the Vietnamese-Canadian community. For more pictures, please click here.
March 13, 2017
Senator Ngo attended the 69th Independence Day of Myanmar and gave a speech as the Vice-Chair of the Canada-Myanmar Parliamentary Friendship group. Myanmar is paving its way to a bright future by standing as a shining example to other countries in South-East Asia, who hope to accomplish the same democratic aspirations. With many positive reforms, Senator Ngo is optimistic to the democratic potential Myanmar will continue to demonstrate in furthering human rights, reinforcing democracy, respecting the rule of law and upholding … Continue reading →
March 8, 2017
Senator Ngo traveled to Mexico City as a member of the Senate Standing Committee on Foreign Affairs and International Trade to attend various meetings with various diplomatic corps and local officials. This trip allowed for meetings to follow up on findings of a Committee report tabled in June 2015 entitled North American Neighbours: Maximizing Opportunities and Strengthening Cooperation for a More Prosperous Future. During this trip the, the Committee pursued the report’s findings by examining changing economic and social conditions … Continue reading →
February 23, 2017
On February 23, 2017, Senator Ngo delivered an address at the opening ceremonies of the Canadian International Model United Nations (CANIMUN) at the Lord Elgin Hotel in Ottawa. The senator relayed his own experiences as a diplomat, refugee, teacher, citizenship judge, and senator to illustrate the challenges facing national governments as they craft immigration policies and defend freedom and human rights. CANIMUN is an opportunity for post secondary students to step into the shoes of an international diplomat. Students are … Continue reading →