May is Asian Heritage Month. It is the time where we celebrate the diverse culture and achievements of people from Asian descent. This acknowledges the important contributions of Asians in the unique and culturally diverse fabric of our land. The main purpose of this recognition is to learn about the Asian Canadians, their vital role in the settlement, growth and development of our country, the diversity of the Asian Community and its present significance. So, let us take part in the festivities because our society is a beautiful mosaic of different people, different beliefs, different yearnings, different hopes, and different dreams.

By raising awareness and acknowledging the contributions made by people of Asian origin, we are building greater solidarity among our members and we are strengthening our collective fight for social and economic justice.

Our labour history includes the mistreatment of Chinese workers who toiled in dismal conditions and under inhumane circumstances to build the Canadian Railways in the 1880s, the abuse of South Asian agricultural workers at the beginning of the last century and the internment of Japanese Canadians during the Second World War. The struggle for basic rights and citizenship continues to this day. Since the early 1980s, nearly 100,000 Filipinos (mostly women) have come to Canada under the Foreign Domestic Movement and the Live-in Caregiver Program (LCP). These programs subject women to modern-day slavery. Many Filipino Live-in Caregivers are subject to all forms of abuse, 24-hour work and have little or no access to health care and other social services. The temporary foreign workers program currently allows Employers to bring in workers from other countries to work in a wide variety of jobs including agriculture, construction, and fast foods. The Tim Hortons chain regularly takes advantage of this program.

Asian Heritage Month reminds us that diversity is our strength. We must celebrate honour and respect all the workers that worked to build this country.