People, East Asian, Politics and Law, Profiles

The Honourable Dr. Vivienne Poy, PhD (University of Toronto), is an author, entrepreneur, historian, fashion designer and community volunteer. In 1998, she was the first Canadian of Asian descent to be appointed to the Senate of Canada where she focused on gender issues, multiculturalism, immigration, and human rights, and was instrumental in having May recognized as Asian Heritage Month across Canada. Since her retirement from the Senate of Canada in September 2012, she continues to be actively involved with communities across Canada.

She is Chancellor Emerita of the University of Toronto; board member of Orbis (Canada); Member of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights’ National Advisory Council; Honourary Co-chair of “For All Canadians,” Canadian Blood Services; Honourary Patron of the Chinese Canadian Historical Project at Simon Fraser University; Honourary Chair of the Advisory Committee for the Hong Kong-Canada Crosscurrents Project, 1962–2012; Advisor to the Pacific Canada Heritage Centre at the Museum of Migration Society; Advisory Committee Member for the Journal of Modern Life-Writing Study at Shanghai Jiao Tong University, National Chair of the Chinese Canadian Campaign for Breaking the Silence Gallery at the Canadian Museum for Human Rights; and Honourary Patron of ExplorASIAN Festival.

She has received numerous honourary degrees and professorship from universities in Canada, the United States, China, Hong Kong and South Korea as well as many honours and awards.

In 2008, the Honourable Dr. Vivienne Poy spoke to Asian Canadian organizations in the Atlantic region in celebration of Asian Heritage Month. Access the speeches at this link.