(May 15, 2018) The Asian Business Network Association (ABNA) announces today that it will start accepting nominations for 2018 Chinese Canadian Legend (CCL) Award. With the theme — “You & Me – Let’s make Legends together” — this year’s award will see six Chinese Canadians honoured for their significant contributions to Canada and the worldwide community.
Mr. Bammy Wong, President of the ABNA, says today at a press conference that ABNA is proud to present the Award for the 19th year. Since 2000, 112 outstanding individuals have received the prestigious Award. Alongside, a book was published each year to showcase their passion and courage.
Mr. Wong also says that ABNA is honoured to have former Senator the Honourable Dr. Vivienne Poy and former Lieutenant Governor of Manitoba the Honourable Philip Lee as the Honorary Patrons of the Award. Other honourable members of the event include: Ms. Alexandra Ngan and Mr. Dennis Au-Yeung as Co-Chairs of Organizing Committee, Mr. Stanley Kwan as Head of Nomination Committee, Mr. Stephen Siu as Chair of Editorial Committee, and Ms. Viola Poon as Secretary-General of the organizing committee.
Co-Chair Alexandra Ngan says this year’s theme conveys the simple yet vital message that the making of a legend starts with “you and me” as an individual and together as a community. Everybody has something that they can bring, and together we can change the world, rise above challenges and shine with a difference. The making of CCL is a journey that “you and me” can take part, and “we welcome everyone to join us in this journey to create and shape a better future together”.
Co-Chair Dennis Au-Yeung says the goal of the CCL is to identify role models for our community, to acknowledge their achievements, and to share their inspiring stories with community local and afar. He also believes that many legendary figures have yet to be honoured among Chinese Canadians around the world, and he encourages nominations from all around to continue this meaningful event.
Selection Committee Chair Stanley Kwan says that nominations are open to anyone, regardless of position, gender, age, or how rich or poor they are, as long as the nominee agrees to be nominated. Exceptions are elected federal, provincial or municipal representatives who are in office. The Committee will consider nominees’ personal struggles to succeed despite adversary conditions, their fearless and courageous spirit, achievements, contributions, and their motivating impact on their friends and the community.
Stephen Siu, Chair of Editorial Committee, says CCL Award sets itself apart from other awards by recording and publishing the stories of the award recipients in a book collection. Their contribution and determination have not just provided inspiration and motivation for change in the community, but also become invaluable reference for ongoing research on Chinese Canadian immigrants.
Bammy Wong said the book collections are now being kept in the Richard Charles Lee Canada-Hong Kong Library at the University of Toronto, as well as the libraries at University of Ottawa, University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University, University of Victoria, McGill University and Hong Kong Baptist University.
Nominations can be submitted in a nomination letter that includes the names of the nominator and nominee, their contact addresses, telephones, fax numbers and a biography under 1000 words. Nomination forms can also be downloaded from ABNA website www.abna.ca.
Submissions should be mailed to Asian Business Network Association: Unit 145 Royal Crest Court, Unit 44, Markham, Ont. L3R 9Z4 , or by email: info@abna.ca before June 30th 2018. All nomination information will be kept confidential.
This year, the CCL award gala will be held on Saturday Nov. 17 at the Sheraton Parkway Hotel in Markham. For enquiries, please visit www.abna.ca or call (Camilla Tong) 416-292-6374.