Honourable senators, I rise today during Asian Heritage Month to acknowledge and celebrate the contributions that Asian Canadians have made to the growth and prosperity of Canada. Today, I have the honour of highlighting four trailblazers of the Korean-Canadian community.

First, let me begin by acknowledging the courageous efforts of the first pioneering immigrants of the Korean-Canadian community in the 1960s and 1970s. Through their sweat, blood and tears, they built the strong foundation upon which their sons and daughters stand. These pioneers — like my parents, the late Lee Sung Kim and the late Kye Soon Kwon — began their new life in Canada, making great sacrifices. They toiled and laboured long hours to survive and build a new life for their children and future generations. Many were forced to set aside their own dreams in the hopes their children and unborn children would have greater opportunities to fully realize their dreams.

Like me, there are children of immigrant parents whose successes and achievements in life were possible because of the sacrifices that were made for us. I take this opportunity to recognize four of them who are pioneers of the next generation of Korean Canadians in the field of law.

The first pioneer is former Justice Grace Choi who, on May 29, 2015, was appointed as a judge of the Supreme Court of British Columbia, becoming the first Canadian of Korean descent to be appointed to the bench in Canadian history. She retired on July 14, 2022.

The second is Canadian-born Justice Leonard Kim, a former Crown attorney who was appointed to the Ontario Court of Justice on November 18, 2021, becoming the first Korean‑Canadian male judge in Canadian history and the first Korean Canadian to be appointed to the bench in Ontario’s history.

On May 8, 2023, Justice Julia Shin Doi was appointed to the Superior Court of Justice of Ontario, becoming the first female Korean Canadian judge in Ontario history.

Last, I would like to acknowledge Justice Charles Chang, who on June 27, 2022, was appointed a judge of the Superior Court of Justice of Ontario. Justice Chang is a leader in the Greater Toronto Area community with a distinguished career in law and commitment to helping his community.

Honourable senators, I am honoured to know these distinguished trailblazers of the next generation of Korean Canadians who, inspired by their selfless immigrant parents, are paving the way for others to realize their dreams.

Let us celebrate their achievements and the valuable contributions of Asian Canadians across our great nation during Asian Heritage Month and beyond.