Hong Kong Watch Canada joins Lunar New Year banquet hosted by HongKonger Community Centre Toronto

Hong Kong Watch Canada was delighted to join around 250 Hong Kongers, community leaders and other distinguished guests for the Lunar New Year banquet hosted by the HongKonger Community Centre Toronto on Saturday, 24 February 2024, the Lantern Festival.

A cross-party group of eight politicians, including Mayor of Toronto Olivia Chow, Jean Yip MP, Conservative Party Leader Hon. Pierre Poilievre MP, Tom Kmiec MP, James Bezan MP, Brad Redekopp MP, Philip Lawrence MP and Shuvaloy Majumdar MP, came from three different provinces to celebrate the Year of the Dragon with the Hong Kong diaspora in Canada.

Hong Kong Watch’s co-founder and Trustee Aileen Calverley hosted the event in her capacity as a Director of the HongKonger Community Centre Toronto. Hong Kong Watch’s Patron James Bezan MP, Canada Policy Advisor Katherine Leung and interns also attended.

Mayor Olivia Chow welcomed Hong Kong immigrants to Toronto on behalf of the City of Toronto. She encouraged them to be determined, contribute to the community and have clear goals whatever the job they do.

Hon. Pierre Poilievre MP officiated at the eye-dotting ceremony prior to the lion dance performance, a traditional ritual symbolic of awakening and bringing the lion to life. In his remarks, he noted that Canada is a free country and expressed support for Hong Kong people’s pursuit of freedom of speech.

On behalf of the Government of Canada, Jean Yip MP condemned the application of the National Security Law and reiterated support for the people of Hong Kong, as notably shown in the Government’s decision to expand the Stream B Pathway. A wave of excitement swept through the audience as she picked prize winners in the lucky draw session.

Shuvaloy Majumdar MP spoke on behalf of Tom Kmiec MP, James Bezan MP, Brad Redekopp MP and Philip Lawrence MP. He mentioned Hon. Pierre Poilievre MP and his meeting with Sebastien Lai, Jimmy Lai’s son, in Ottawa and called for the release of Jimmy Lai.

We congratulate the Centre on hosting such a successful event and thank the attending Parliamentarians for supporting the Hong Kong community.