Honourable senators, I rise today to recognize and celebrate Asian Heritage Month.

It is a time to honour the rich and diverse cultures, traditions and contributions of Asian communities across Canada, from serving in the military to building railways and communities and making Canada a stronger nation.

This year’s theme — Unity in Diversity — encourages us to reflect not only on the past, but also on how Asian Canadians continue to shape our country’s future with respect to education, the arts, business, public service and so much more.

Each year, Canadians from all backgrounds and cultures come together during the month of May to participate in Asian Heritage Month events. This is a long-standing tradition which started here in the Senate of Canada.

In 2001, our former colleague and godmother of Asian Heritage Month, the Honourable Vivienne Poy, was the visionary leader behind the initiative which led to the passage of a unanimous Senate motion in this chamber to recognize May as Asian Heritage Month each year.

This May, I had the pleasure of hosting an annual event — the Voices in Action breakfast on the Hill — for students from several schools in the Ottawa-Carleton school district, as well as participating in an Asian Heritage Month virtual event along with several Senate colleagues, coordinated by SENgage, which brought together hundreds of students from schools across Canada.

As a proud Canadian of Korean descent, Asian Heritage Month holds a special significance for me.

The Korean-Canadian community, which has grown steadily since the 1960s, has become a vibrant part of Canada’s multicultural fabric. The Korean diaspora has spread across the globe, and Canada is home to a sizable and dynamic Korean-Canadian population. The community has prospered and thrived over the decades, driving innovation and growth in nearly every sector of the Canadian economy.

From small businesses and startups to large corporations, Korean-Canadian entrepreneurs have made their mark creating jobs, stimulating economic growth and contributing to Canada’s prosperity. They have also added to our society with their rich traditions, cuisine, arts and culture. Who doesn’t like K-pop, K‑food and K-drama?

As we look ahead, let us continue to build a Canada that is inclusive of and respectful to all cultures, where every story is heard and every contribution valued.

Thank you.