Free admission. Please RSVP via email to chk.library@utoronto.ca.
Synopsis
Olivia Chow’s June 26, 2023, victory was worthy of celebration. For the first time in history, Torontonians chose their first visible minority mayor. While her victory was a milestone for all Chinese living across the country, no one should be shocked. Multiple events in Greater China are accelerating the integration of Chinese into Canadian society.
Our talk highlights the impact of Chinese political participation in Canada. We believe the accusation of Beijing meddling in Canadian politics has been widely exaggerated. While Chinese Canadians are primarily urban, numerous and highly politically active, politicians should always take their electoral support with a grain of salt. They are educated, rational and do not necessarily vote for fellow ethnically Chinese. Their active participation indicates the dynamics of the Canadian cultural mosaic and its success in Canadian integration. Such socio-political integration is a testimony to the triumph of Canadian multiculturalism.
Speaker Bios
Kenneth Lam is an independent historian based in Toronto. He graduated with his BA and MA from York University and PhD from the University of Hong Kong. Sonny formerly worked at Beijing-Normal University-Hong Kong Baptist University, United International College, University of Hong Kong, and Hamline University. He specializes in Overseas Chinese and Sino-Western cultural interactions.
Sonny Shiu-Hing Lo is Professor of HKU SPACE Community College. He graduated with his PhD from the University of Toronto, MA from University of Waterloo, and BA from York University. Sonny formerly worked at the Education University of Hong Kong, University of Waterloo, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Murdoch University and University of East Asia (Macau). He is an expert on the politics of Hong Kong and Macau and now working with Dr. Kenneth Lan on a book on the political participation of Chinese in Canada.