The Hon. Sheila Copps, Chair of the Awards Selection Committee, along with the seven-member committee of Michael Chambers, Claudia Chowaniec, Jeffrey Dale, John Higginbotham, Larry Hill, Jim Orban, Victor Rabinovitch will announce the winners in Canada's only national awards program in recognition of outstanding contributions made by Canadians of Asian descent in all walks of life. The awards also recognize the tremendous contributions to Asia-Canada relations by a Canadian of any descent.
The 15 Finalists Selected by the Committee, will each receive an award plaque during the Awards Ceremony to be held on Parliament Hill, Wednesday, May 6th, 2009. They represent the best of the best in each of the following categories: Arts/Sports, Business/Public Service, Volunteerism, Lifetime Achievement, and Asia-Canada Relations.
The Finalists include:
Hon. Jack Austin - former Senator Right Hon. Jean Chrétien - former Prime Minister Her Excellency the Right Hon. Adrienne Clarkson - former Governor General Ms. Cora de la Cruz - President,
Delamarc Corporation Dr. David T. Fung - Chairman & CEO, ACDEG Group Ms. Carol Huynh - Olympic Gold Medalist Hon. Arthur Menzies - retired Diplomat
Dr. Ken Hiu-Ming Ng - Family Doctor Dr. Nelly W.K. Ng - Family Doctor Ms. Sandra Oh - Actress Dr. Dipak Roy - Chairman, DTA Systems Inc. Mr. James Tan - Brush Artist/Painter Ms. Nazira Naz Tareen - Retired Teacher Dr. John Samuel - Managing Editor,
South Asian Mail Dr. Yiyan Wu - Principal Research Scientist
The Finalists include: