May is Asian Heritage Month in Canada, a time to reflect on and recognize the many contributions that people of Asian origin have made and continue to make to Canada.

Over the last 2 centuries, immigrants have journeyed to Canada from East Asia, Southern Asia, Western, Central and Southeast Asia, bringing our society a rich cultural heritage representing many languages, ethnicities and religious traditions. Asian Canadian Cultures in Canada Include:

• East Asia: China, Japan, Korea, Mongolia, Taiwan

• South East Asia: Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Myanmar, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, East Timor, Vietnam

• South Asia: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Maldives, Nepal, Pakistan, Sri Lanka

• Western Asia: Armenia, Azerbaijan, Bahrain, Cyprus, Georgia, Iran, Iraq, Israel, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, State of Palestine, Syria, Turkey, United Arab Emirates, Yemen

• Central Asia: Afghanistan, Kazakhstan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan

 

The people of these diverse, vibrant and growing communities have contributed to every aspect of life in Canada — from the arts and science to sport, business and government.

Asian Heritage Month offers everyone in Canada an opportunity to learn more about the history of people of Asian origin in Canada and to celebrate their contributions to the growth and prosperity of our society.