Thank You Canada Gala

April 18, 2015

On Saturday, April 18th, 2015, Senator Thanh Hai Ngo, Minister Jason Kenney, and Minister Chris Alexander attended the “Thank You Canada Gala” in honour of the 40th commemoration anniversary of the fall of Saigon, and the boat people refugee resettlement in Canada.

The hosting Vietnamese community members and other distinguished guests gave a warm welcome to the event’s Keynote speaker, the Honourable Ron Atkey, former Minister of Immigration and Employment under Joe Clark’s Government, who led the Canadian humanitarian response to the biggest refugee crisis of that century.

Also in attendance were special guests who played an important part in resettling 60 000 Vietnamese refugees to Canada in the events that followed the fall of Saigon on April 30, 1975. During the dinner, the Vietnamese-Canadian community recognized and expressed its gratitude for the fundamental role Canadians played in rescuing and welcoming thousands of refugees following their perilous journey to freedom. This Gala not only recognized Canada’s contributions and humanitarian aid to the refugees, but also celebrated the Vietnamese-Canadian community’s accomplishments since its arrival in Canada 40 years ago.