Paul Chiang

[Andrew Hong and Travis Gillespie, October 5th, 2022]

Mr. Speaker, today, I rise in the House to pay tribute to two Canadian heroes who tragically lost their lives as members of municipal police services in the GTA.

Constable Andrew Hong of the Toronto Police Service was shot and killed in an ambush on September 12 in Mississauga. He leaves behind two teenage children and will forever be remembered as a larger-than-life personality who got along with everyone and cared deeply for his community.

Constable Travis Gillespie of the York Regional Police was killed in a collision with an alleged impaired driver on September 14. He has been remembered by friends, family, and co-workers as someone who demonstrated “true leadership by leading from the front and always showing strength for the team.”

Emergency services personnel around Canada put their lives on the line every day to protect their communities and keep Canadians safe. As a retired police officer of the York Regional Police, and as someone who currently has a son-in-law in policing, I offer my sincere condolences to the families and friends affected by these tragedies. We will always remember their sacrifice.

[Diversity and Inclusion, June 10th, 2022]

Mr. Speaker, Canada has seen an alarming increase in racism and hate crime targeting Muslim Canadians. Islamophobia in our country is a real and troubling fact.

Our government has taken concrete steps to address Islamophobia. This includes marking January 29 as National Day of Remembrance and Action against Islamophobia, and holding a national summit on Islamophobia this past summer.

We will continue to support community organizations and work closely with the Muslim community to end Islamophobia once and for all.

[Asian Heritage Month, May 19th, 2022]

Madam Speaker, as parliamentary secretary to the Minister of Housing and Diversity and Inclusion, I am proud to stand in the House today to recognize May as Asian Heritage Month and to thank Canadians of Asian heritage for their immense contributions to our country.

In Canada, diversity is a fact and inclusion is a choice. There is still work to be done to make Canada a country that is truly equal for everyone. For the last two centuries, immigrants have come to Canada from East Asia, Southern Asia, Western and Southeast Asia, bringing with them rich heritage representing many languages, ethnicities and religions.

While the Asian community itself is very diverse, we are also united in helping build stronger communities and standing up to hate and discrimination in all its forms. I have been proud to celebrate Asian Heritage Month with friends, colleagues and constituents this month, and I look forward to continuing to represent Canadians of Asian heritage in the House.

[Alick Siu, April 1st, 2022]

Madam Speaker, I am deeply saddened to announce the passing of Mr. Alick Siu. Alick was a long-time resident and proud ambassador for Markham—Unionville. He worked tirelessly and passionately on my federal campaign last year and was a policy chair for the Markham—Unionville Federal Liberal Association.

Alick served on the board of directors for various community groups, such as the York Region Parent Association, the Markham Arts Council, the Markham Public Library Board and the Unionville Residents Association.

Alick had a career as an IT professional and co-founded the Chinese Canadian Information Processing Professionals 30 years ago. He was a co-host and commentator on Fairchild Radio and 105.9 The Region.

Alick Siu was highly respected and recognized as a model citizen and community leader by our residents and IT professionals.

On behalf of the Markham—Unionville riding, I offer my sincere condolences to the family of Mr. Alick Siu. Alick will be greatly missed.

[Diversity and Inclusion, February 4th, 2022]

Mr. Speaker, this year the theme for Black History Month is “February and Forever: Celebrating Black History today and every day”.

Our government supports Black Canadians through investments in a number of areas, including building capacity in Black communities, supporting young Black Canadians, providing culturally focused mental health programs, and supporting entrepreneurship and anti-racism strategies.

During Black History Month, I invite everyone to join us in celebrating and recognizing the many contributions Black Canadians have made to our Canada.

[Questions on the Order Paper, January 31st, 2022]

Mr. Speaker, with respect to (a), Global Affairs Canada and the Department of Canadian Heritage have supported the special envoy during the first year through existing departmental resources. The Office of Human Rights, Freedoms and Inclusion within Global Affairs has dedicated the equivalent of 1.5 full-time equivalents, FTEs, to support the special envoy as he fulfills his international mandate. The multiculturalism and anti-racism branch within the Department of Canadian Heritage has also dedicated the equivalent of 1.5 FTEs to support the special envoy as he fulfills his domestic mandate.

With respect to (b), key international accomplishments include leading Canada’s delegation to the International Holocaust Remembrance Alliance and supporting Canada’s delegation to the Malmö International Forum. Key domestic accomplishments to date include co-convening the July 2021 federal summit on anti-Semitism; developing Canada’s pledges on Holocaust remembrance and combatting anti-Semitism, announced by Prime Minister Trudeau at the Malmö International Forum on Holocaust Remembrance and Combating Anti-Semitism, October 2021; the promotion of Holocaust Education Month, November 2021; and domestic outreach. The special envoy’s extensive bilateral efforts included individual meetings with international counterparts and virtual events hosted by Canadian missions. Multilaterally, he worked with partners at the United Nations, European Union and Organization of American States to build awareness and support, including as a panelist at an event co-organized by Canada at the UN Human Rights Council on combatting anti-Semitism.

With respect to (c), a public report by the special envoy to the government is in the process of being prepared and will be made public once finalized.

With respect to (d), no office space has been assigned to the Honourable Irwin Cotler, as the government continues to work remotely due to the COVID 19 pandemic.

[Markham—Unionville, December 2nd, 2021]

Mr. Speaker, I am honoured to stand for the first time in this House and humbled to be the newly elected member of Parliament for Markham—Unionville.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all my constituents for placing their trust and support in me. As a retired police officer, representing them is a privilege that I will not take lightly.

I would like to take this time to acknowledge and thank the people who stood by my side and helped me get to this position. My dedicated and hard-working campaign team had conversations on doorsteps that helped amplify the voices of Canadians and carry our movement forward.

My wife of 40 years, Monica, my three adult children and their spouses, and my six grandchildren have always remained by my side and supported me in all my endeavours. I cannot thank them enough and would not be where I am today without them.

Today I pledge to the people of Markham—Unionville that I will work tirelessly to represent everyone, regardless of race, ethnicity, gender or orientation. I will fight to make sure our communities are safe, healthy and inclusive for all Canadians.

Finally, I want to congratulate all re-elected and newly elected members to this House, and I hope to work with everyone in this House.