Background 

AsiaNetwork Asian of the Year Awards is an annual award program created by AsiaNetwork Magazine in 2007, in recognition of many unsung Asian Canadian heroes featured in the magazine. They are ordinary Canadian citizens of Asian descent making extraordinary contributions to their respective communities in Canada.

2007 Award: The first Asian of the Year award was endorsed by Senator Vivienne Poy, the first Canadian Senator of Asian descent, with one award category. The 2007 award was regional in scope, mainly in Ontario (Ottawa) and Quebec (Gatineau). The recipient is Police Chief Kai Liu of Gananoque, Ontario, the first Asian Canadian Inspector with Ottawa Police Service at that time.

 2008 Awards: The award was expanded from regional to national, going hand in hand with AsiaNetwork Magazine which was also grown from a regional magazine to a national publication available in more than 100 Chapters/ Indigos stores – the largest book and magazine retailers across Canada.

Formal Launching: The AsiaNetwork Asian of the Year Awards was formally launched at the Indonesian Embassy in Ottawa in January 2008, thanks to the generous support from then Indonesian Ambassador Hardono. It was co-hosted by His Excellency Hardono and the Honourable Sheila Copps, the former Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Canadian Heritage.

Awards Categories: 2008 also saw an increase in the award category from one to four, including four sectors: arts and sports, business and public service, volunteerism and lifetime achievements. The Hon. Sheila Copps was the Award Selection Committee Chair in 2008, and continues to be the Chair for 2009.

2009 Awards:  2009 sees yet another category added: Asia Canada Achievements, to be awarded to a Canadian who has made significant contributions to Canada Asia Canada affairs. This individual can be a Canadian of any descent.

Asian of the Year Awards have been run and funded by the AsiaNetwork Magazine from the start in late 2006. The 2009 awards are financially aided through fund-raising initiatives through the Asian of the Year Award Soceity, a non-profit entity created under AsiaNetwork Canada.