The Honourable Dr. Vivienne Poy
Summary
Vivienne Poy is an author, public speaker, historian, fashion designer, entrepreneur & community champion. She founded Vivienne Poy Mode in 1981, and over the following fourteen years enjoyed great success in fashion design, manufacturing, wholesale and retail.
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. She worked tirelessly to amend our National Anthem to include “all of us,” by the introduction of An Act to Amend the National Anthem Act, twice in the Senate, with cross Canada and cross gender support. However, both Bills died on the order paper due to the prorogation of Parliament. The effort was carried forward by other parliamentarians, which culminated in its final Assent into Law on Feb.1, 2018. After her retirement from the Senate of Canada on September 17, 2012, she continues to be actively involved with academia and with communities across Canada.
Vivienne is Chancellor Emerita of the University of Toronto and a Senior Fellow of Massey College. She retired from the Board of ORBIS International (Can) in 2019 and remains involved with their programming in northern Ontario, besides establishing Eye Centres managed by women in Bangladesh. She is a member of The Equality Collective, Plan International (Can), which improves the lives of women and girls in developing countries. She continues to help University Health Network in the Kidney Health Education and Research group regarding education about living organ donation, Chinese Health Equity study, Toronto.
Vivienne is the Chairwoman of Lee Tak Wai Holdings Limited, President of Lee Tak Wai Foundation and Calyan Publishing Limited.
Education
• Ph.D., (History), University of Toronto
• M.A. (History), University of Toronto
• Honours B.A. (History), McGill University
• Diploma (Fashion Arts), Seneca College
• Primary and middle school in Hong Kong and England
Honorary Degrees and Professorship
• Doctor of Laws, Toronto Metropolitan University (2022)
• Doctor of Laws, Simon Fraser University (2016)
• Doctor of Laws, York University (2014)
• Doctor of Laws, McGill University (2011)
• Doctor of Laws, University of Toronto (2009)
• Doctor of Laws, University of Manitoba (2006)
• Doctor of Laws, University of Hong Kong (2006)
• Doctor of Humane Letters (honoris causa), Old Dominion University,
Virginia, USA (2005)
• Honorary Ph.D. in Political Science, Soongsil University, Seoul,
South Korea (2003)
• Honorary Professor, Yanbian University of Science and Technology,
Yanji, Jilin, China (2003)
Awards and Honours
• Life Long Contribution Award from Canadian Youth Champions. March 3, 2024.
• WeWorkingWomen 2023 Grand Impact Awards, Oct. 22, 2023
• Celebrity Judge for Nature Canada's Nature Photo Contest, 2023
• VIBE's Power 60: Inspiring Asian-Canadians of Influence
https://viewthevibe.com/view-the-vibes-2023-power-60-inspiring-asian-canadians-
of-influence/ (2023)
• Xinflix Hua Cai Person of the Year Award, (Dec. 17, 2022)
• Distinguished Hakka Leaders Award, (June 26, 2022)
• Canadian Council for the Advancement of Education, Friend of Education Award,
(May 2022)
• One of Canada's Most Inspiring Women by Marquee Magazine (Fall Issue 2021)
• 10 Incredible Asian-Canadians You Didn't Learn About in History Class
https://www.readersdigest.ca/culture/asian-canadians-in-history/ (April 22, 2021)
• Canadian Women Now and Then: More than 100 Stories of Fearless Trailblazers,
(2020)
• G. Raymond Chang Award, The University of the West Indies (2016)
• Heritage Award, Transformation Awards, Diversity Expo (2014)
• The Lifetime Achievement Award,
Association of Chinese Canadian Entrepreneurs (2014)
• The Most Successful Women Award, Jessica Magazine,
Hong Kong & China (2013)
• NAAAP 100 Award, The National Association of Asian American
Professionals (2012)
• Queen Elizabeth II Diamond Jubilee Medal (2012)
• Top 25 Canadian Immigrants, Canadian Immigrant Magazine (2010)
• Chinese Canadian Legend (2009)
• Inaugural Golden Mountain Achievements Award,
at the 150 Years in Golden Mountain celebration, Victoria, BC ( 2008)
• Cambridge Lifetime Achievement Award (2006)
• Eid-ul-Fitr Award, The Association of Progressive Muslims of Ont. (2005)
• Seneca College Distinguished Alumni Award (2005)
• Women's Executive Network - Canada's Most Powerful Women:
Top 100 Trailblazer Award (2003)
• Bestowed Mohawk name of "Ka Tsi Tsa Ken Reh" -
"a rare and beautiful flower" (2003)
• Officer of the Order of St. John (2003)
• Queen Elizabeth II Golden Jubilee Award (2002)
• Gold Medal Award of Excellence in Race Relations (2002)
• Nominated as Woman of the Year by the American Biographical Institute (1998)
• Arbor Award for Outstanding Volunteer Service to the University of Toronto (1997)
• International Women's Day Award (1996)
Community Involvement
• Involved with the establishment of The Hill 70 Monument in Lens, France in 2019
• Patron of the Toronto Hakka Conference since inception in 2001
• One of the five Canadian woman funders of the Famous 5 statues on Parliament Hill
and in Olympic Park in Calgary
• Honorary Patron, Chinese Canadian Legend Award
• Advisor to the Pacific Canada Heritage Centre, Museum of Migration Society,
Vancouver
• Honorary Patron of explorASIAN, Vancouver
• Member of the Canadian Asian Studies Association (CASA)
Publications - Books and Papers
• (2021), Precious Moments, Calyan Publishing Ltd. Toronto, (Co-author)
https://www.surewaypress.com/archives/2162
• (2015), Heroes & Gamblers: Tales of Survival and Good Fortune of the Poy Family
英雄與賭徒, Calyan Publishing Limited, Toronto
https://www.amazon.ca/dp/1896501109/ref=olp-opf-redir?aod=1
• (2015), Book review. The Remarkable Chester Ronning: Proud Son of China.
University of Toronto Quarterly, Letters in Canada, Vol. 84, No. 3.
• (July 2014 issue), Contributed a chapter in Modern Life-Writing Studies Journal,
Shanghai Jiaotong University, China, The Commercial Press
• (2013), Passage to Promise Land, McGill/Queen's University Press,
Montreal & Kingston, London, Ithaca
https://www.mqup.ca/search-results-pages-73.php?search_term=vivienne+poy
• (2011), The China Challenge: Sino-Canadian Relations in the 21st Century,
University of Ottawa Press (Co-editor).
• (2011),香港利氏家族Hong Kong: The Chinese University Press
• (2006), Profit, Victory, and Sharpness: the Lees of Hong Kong,
York Centre for Asian Research, York University,
Hong Kong Institute of Education
• (2002), Citizenship and Immigration: the Chinese-Canadian Experience,
The Nortel Networks' Canadian Studies Address No. 1.
University of Wollongong Press and the Centre for Canadian-Australian
Studies, Wollongong, Australia
• (1998), Building Bridges: the Life and Times of Richard Charles Lee,
Hong Kong 1905 - 1983, 築橋,Calyan Publishing Limited, Toronto
• (1995), A River Named Lee, 利氏長流,Calyan Publishing Limited, Toronto
Languages
Fluent: Chinese (Cantonese), English
Some knowledge of Chinese (Mandarin), German, French
Involvement with Academic Community
McGill University
• Former Governor
• Established entrance scholarships in the Humanities
• Established the Richard Charles and Esther Yewpick Lee Chair in Chinese
Culture Studies
• Former Member of the Board of Visitors, Faculty of Arts
• Former Member of the Advisory Board of the Tianyige Library Project
(Ningbo, China)
• Former Member of the McGill Ontario Region Advisory Board
University of Toronto
• Chancellor (2003-2006)
• Endowment in the Department of Plastic Surgery, Temerty Faculty of Medicine
• Established the Richard Charles Lee Chinese Canadian Archive in
Thomas Fisher Rare Book Library
• Established Vincent Shen Memorial Scholarship in Chinese Thought and Culture
• Established the Richard Charles Lee Directorship, Asian Institute,
Munk School of Global Affairs
• Established the Richard Charles Lee Chair of Chinese Canadian Studies
• Member of the President's Circle
• Established the Vivienne Poy Endowment in Asian Canadian Cultural Studies
• Established the Richard Charles Lee Canada Hong Kong Library
• Established the Lee Chair in Chinese Thought and Culture
• Established post-graduate Chancellor's Fellowship
• Former Member of the Religion in the Public Sphere Advisory Board,
Centre for the Study of Religion,
• Former Chair, Canadian Studies Advisory Board, University College
• Former Member of the Governing Council
• Former Member of the Advisory Board of the Canada-Hong Kong Resource Centre,
Joint Centre for Asia Pacific Studies (JCAPS)
• Former Member of the Nominating Committee for Honorary Degrees
• Former Member of the Advisory Board of the Faculty of Arts and Science
York University
• Established the Vivienne Poy Asian Research Award
• Established the Bernard Luk Memorial Lecture in Hong Kong Studies at the
York Centre for Asian Research
• Established Hakka Studies in YCAR
Toronto Metropolitan University
• Endowment for the Image Centre
Simon Fraser University - David Lam Centre
• Honorary Patron, Chinese Canadian Historical Chart (2001 - )
University of Victoria
• Former member of the Advisory Council of the Centre for Studies in
Religion and Society
Seneca College
• Member (Hon) of the Seneca College Fashion Resource Centre
• Established Vivienne Poy Creative Knitwear Award
• Established Vivienne Poy Fashion Arts Entrance Scholarship
Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Center for Life Writing
• Member of the Advisory Board for the Journal of Modern Life Writing
Studies (2013-2016)
Inclusions
In Print
• 2022, In Praise of Chinese Grandmothers, Diana Lary
• May 20, 2022, Ottawa Citizen - Reflections on 20 years of Asian Heritage Month, https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/were-canadians-and-we-contribute-to-the-building-of-this-country-reflections-on-20-years-of-asian-heritage-month
• Fall Issue 2021, Canada's Most Inspiring Women by Marquee Magazine
• May 2021, Ryerson University Alumni and Friends
• 2021, The Unconventional Nancy Ruth, Ramona Lumpkin
• 2020, Canadian Women Now and Then: More than 100 Stories of Fearless
Trailblazers
• 2019, The Transcultural Streams of Chinese Canadian Identities, McGill-Queen’s
University Press
• 2019, Three Decades of Cultural Legacy, Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Toronto,
• 2017, Canada 150 Women, Paulina Cameron
• 2017,《見字如見人》
• 2016, Seneca Resource Centre
• Summer 2016 issue, Dolce
• Oct. 18-24, 2014, New Leaf Weekly, BC
• June 2014, Diversity. Transformation awards special edition
• Nov. 2015, Jessica Magazine, Hong Kong & China, July 2013, Jan. 2014
• 2013, The Chinese Community in Toronto, Then and Now, Arlene Chan
• Fall 2013, Red, Publication for the Seneca College Community
• 2012, In the Web, new edition
• 2011, Chinese Canadian Historical Chart, Simon Fraser University,
David See-Chai Lam Centre for International Communication
• 2010, The Multicultural Leader: Life Stories of Influence and Achievement,
Soosan Daghighi Latham, Back along Books/Northwest Cove Productions
• 2009, Canadian Legal Studies Series: Women, Law, and Social Change -
Core Readings and Current Issues, 5th Edition, T. Brettel Dawson,
Captus Press Inc.
• 2008, Canadian Sources: Investigated 1914 to the Present,
Elizabeth Freeman-Shaw & Jan Haskings-Winner,
Emond Montgomery Publications Limited, Toronto
• Spring 2007, Cover, University College, University College, U of T
• August 2007, Canadian Immigrant, Star Media Group, Canada
• 2006, Public Speaking in Canada: Building Competency in Stages
Sherry Devereaux Ferguson, Oxford University Press
• 2006, The Last Goodbye
• 2004, Canada's Immigrants, Heroes, and Countrymen, Robin Arthur, Sam Bayat,
Authorhouse
• November 2003, Cover, The Bulletin, ACU, General Conference, Queen’s University,
Belfast, N. Ireland
• 2002, Tasting Diversity: a celebration of immigrant women and their cooking.
Foreword by Rosemary Brown, Working Women Community Centre,
Whitecap Books
• 2002, Five Hundred Leaders of Influence the International Directory of
Distinguished Leadership, 8th edition
• 2002, Life Fellow of the International Biographical Association
• 2002 International Who's Who of Intellectuals, 13th edition
• 2002, Who's Who of Canadian Women
• 2002, Who's Who in Canada
• 2001, The Outstanding Immigrants in the New Millennium, Hasanat Ahmad Syed,
The Human Rights and Race Relations Centre in collaboration with
Canada Flag and Unity Centre & New Canada
• June 2000, Cover, Fifty Plus, CARP News, Canada
• 2000, Canada at the Millennium, Heirloom Publishing Inc.
• January 2000, Cover, Chinese World Canadian Magazine, 21st Century International
Cultural Communication Co., Ltd. Toronto
• 1999, Cover, Alumni, Seneca Alumni, Toronto, Winter
• April 1994, Cover, Modesty Magazine, Modesty Group, Ontario,
• May 1989, Cover, World Monitor, The Christian Science Monitor, USA,
Television/Digitization/Documentary/Website
• OMNI TV News, Asian Heritage Month Opening Ceremony, May 16, 2023
https://www.omnitv.ca/video/%
• VIBE's 2023 Power 60: Inspiring Asian-Canadians of Influence
https://viewthevibe.com/view-the-vibes-2023-power-60-inspiring-asian-canadians-
of-influence/
• Dec. 17, 2022, Xinflix Hua Cai Person of the Year Award,
https://mp.weixin.qq.com/s/SQ8NFIq1mA5dXsGn0uofMQ
• Nov. 22, 2022, "Precious Moment" Book launch & Conversation,
RCL Canada-Hong Kong Library, https://vimeo.com/777242920/5b976bd3a8
• May 2022, Canadian Council for the Advancement of Education,
Friend of Education Award. https://youtu.be/9vHGEjVrLlE
• Sept. 2, 2022, Strong Together: What everyone should know about kidney disease,
treatment, transplantation, and mental resilience
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y5MgfTUb5Gg
• May 9, 2022. Asian Heritage Month Opening Ceremony
https://www.omnitv.ca/on/en/videos/亞裔傳統文化月活動揭開序幕-may-09-2022-
on/
• May 19, 2022, Canadian Museum for Human Rights, 20th anniversary of
Asian Heritage Month in Canada
https://twitter.com/CMHR_News/status/1527301132183572484
• May 18, 2022, Canadian Human Rights Commission - In honour of Asian Heritage
Month, https://www.facebook.com/CanadianHumanRightsCommission
• May 2, 2022, U of T News Story, https://www.utoronto.ca/news/former-senator-and-
u-t-chancellor-emerita-vivienne-poy-reflects-asian-heritage-month-20-years
• April 6, 2022, Toronto TV interview
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OK8A4jmu2VA
• April 22, 2021, 10 Incredible Asian-Canadians You Didn't Learn About in History
Class, https://www.readersdigest.ca/culture/asian-canadians-in-history/
• Oct. 21, 2021, Precious Moments Virtual Book Launch, Ryerson University
YouTube Link: https://youtu.be/Q8cFC-kS0Ds
• Oct. 21, 2021, OMNI News
• Aug. 13, 2021, Famous 5 Foundation Virtual Pink Tea Conversation.
• May 2021, Official Asian Heritage Monthd Virtual Celebration, by Canadian Heritage.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IICqagVeXA&themeRefresh=1
• May 10, 2021, Toronto Metropolitan University, Alumni & Friends.
https://www.ryerson.ca/alumni/news-and-stories/2021/05/meet-dr-vivienne-poy-
the-senator-behind-asian-heritage-month/
• May 2021, Ontario MPP, Vincent KE, Proposed Bill, Anti-Asian Racism Education
Month https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T1iSgbppNMY&t=4s
• May 2021, Eyes Open: An Anti-Asian Racism PSA, Facebook watch
• May 2021, Ancestors in our Attics by Catherine Clement
• May 2021 Stand Together: The Asian North American Experience,
• May 2021, Standing together: Honouring Asian Heritage and Identity through Solidarity
• May 18, 2021, North America Headline's 加拿大首位亚裔参议员利德蕙：亚裔应理直气壮为自己的文化传统而自豪 WeChat public account,
• May 7, 2021,CTV’s Your Morning show, on-air celebrations of Asian Heritage Month.
• May 3, 2021, CBC’s Canada Tonight TV interview.
• May 2018, 利德蕙(Vivienne Poy)的時裝和她的成功之道 - 加中在线
• May 2018, "Vivienne Poy’s Fashion Design & Her Way to Success"
Chinese Canadian Times.
• Nov. 17-19, 2014, Canadian Race Relations Foundation digitized interviews for their
2014 Symposium & Awards, Ottawa.
• Sept. 18, 2014, Canadian Museum for Human Rights digitized interview for the Gala,
Winnipeg
• 2014, "Tradition in Felicities: Celebrating 155 Years of Victoria's Chinatown",
Exhibition Digitization Project, Victoria.
• 2013, Fairchild TV interview, Leisure Talk.
• 2013, Operation Oblivion. Documentary. Producer Micol Marotti.
• May 15, 2013, Rogers Daytime interview.
• May 2012, Fairchild TV. "26 Magazine", Historic Tour of the Fraser Canyon.
• February 2012, Internationally Trained Lawyers Program (ITLP) UofT Faculty of Law
2nd annual conference, "Success and Serendipity 2012: The Multicultural Leader."
• 2008, Radio Television Hong Kong TV, “Hong Kong Stories Series 18".
• Fall 2008, ATV, Hong Kong "The Hong Kong Nobles".
• October 2004, 10 Episodes Cultural and TV Series across Canada,
Shanghai Oriental Television.
• May 2004, Asian Heritage Month, Chinese in Canada Fairchild TV.
• January 2004, TV Ontario – "More to Life – the X-Factor" (Mary Ito).
• November 2003, TV Ontario – Person 2 Person (Paula Todd).
• December 2002, Hakka Conference video, Toronto.
• December 1 and 8, 2002, OMNI II – "Face to Face with Stanley So". 2 parts.
• July 2002, Rogers "Fireside Chat" – Extraordinary Canadians Who Are Not Born
in Canada.
• May 2002, CBC Canada's first Chinese-Canadian senator discusses her work on
Asian Heritage Month.
• Spring 2002, CCTV (China) "Half the Sky".
• September 2001, Interview on "Newsline" ATV World, Hong Kong. (Frank Ching).
• June 27, 2001, Fairchild TV "Timeline Magazine".
• 1996, Women's Channel "Take 3." Producer Jennifer Harkness.
Past Highlights
The Senate of Canada
• Held annual Era 21 Networking Breakfast for young Canadians in the Parliamentary
Restaurant.
• the Standing Committee on Fisheries and Oceans.
• the Standing Committee on Human Rights.
• the Legal and Constitutional Affairs Committee.
• the Standing Committee on Social Affairs, Science and Technology.
• the MP/Senator Zimbabwe Twinning Initiative.
• Numerous Parliamentary Associations and Friendship Groups.
• Member of the National Liberal Task Force on Youth Entrepreneurship.
Past Community involvements
• Honorary Chair of the Advisory Committee of "Hong Kong-Canada
Crosscurrents Project, 1962-2012”.
• Honorary Patron, Multi Voices One Heart: Celebrating Canada 150 in
Cantonese Opera, Toronto and Vancouver, 2017.
• Honorary Advisor to the Buddhist Education Foundation for Canada.
• Member of the Canadian Museum for Human Rights National Advisory Council.
• Honorary Co-Chair, Campaign for All Canadians, Canadian Blood Services.
• Honorary Patron of the Simon Fraser University David Lam Center's
Chinese Canadian History Project.
• National Chair of Chinese Canadian support of Breaking the Silence Gallery
in the Canadian Museum for Human Rights, Winnipeg, 2014.
• Honorary Co-Chair to the 100 Years of Buddhism in Canada Celebration, 2005.
• Member of the Friends of Margaret McCain Hall, St. Thomas University, 2005.
• Honorary Chair, Jews in Shanghai Exhibition, 2002.
• Honorary Co-Chair, Symposium "Leaps and Bounds", Bata Shoe Museum, 2002.
• Honorary Chair, National Campaign for the Natural Partnership Campaign of the
Canadian Museum of Nature, 2002.
• Honorary Patron of the Hong Kong Tourist Association
Dragon 2000 Design Contest.
• Honorary Patron of the Iron Road Opera, 2000.
• Honorary Patron of the Millennium Toronto Chinese Photographic Exhibition,
1999.
• Honorary Chair of the Board of Advisors.
Virtual Museum of Asian Canadian Cultural Heritage (VMACCH).
• Co-Chair for the Scarborough General Hospital Foundation's
World's Worst Painting and Art Auction.
• Member of the Honorary Celebration Cabinet for 150 Years in
Golden Mountain Celebrations.
• Member of the Advisory Board, Canada-DPR Korea Association.
• Honorary Advisor to Sedai, the Japanese Canadian Legacy Project.
• Honorary Board Member of the Kidney Foundation (Ontario Region).
• Honorary Advisor Montreal Accès Asie Festival.
• Honorary Co-Chair of the Asian Heritage Foundation (Southern Alberta).
• Co-Chair for the Kidney Foundation Luncheon and Fashion Show.
• Honorary Memorial Committee for the Jewish War Veterans Memorial (Toronto).
• Honorary Advisor to the 2004 Toronto Hakka Conference.
• Member of the Women Entrepreneurs of Canada (1994-1999).
• Trustee and Member of the Nominating Committee of the Art Gallery of Ontario.
• Trustee of the National Gallery of Canada.
• Director of the Canadian Stage Company.
• Member of the Fashion Group International, Toronto Chapter.
• Honorary Board Member, Canadian Sinfonietta Chamber Orchestra.
• Founding Member of the Governor's Circle of the Art Gallery of Ontario.
• Member of the City of Scarborough's Image Committee.
• One Woman Fashion Show for the Kidney Foundation Fundraising dinner.
• Founder and Chair of the Cathay Ball (1992 & 1993) for Mon Sheong Foundation.
• Major contributor and member of Scarborough General Hospital's
Capita Campaign.
• Honorary Patron, Association of Chinese Canadian Professionals (ACCP).
• Honorary Patron, Taiwan Entrepreneurs Society Taipei/Toronto.
• Honorary Patron, Ontario Genealogical Society.
• Honorary Patron, Education Foundation of the Chinese Professionals.
Association of Canada (CPAC).
• Honorary Patron, Chinese Canadian Heritage Fund.
• Honorary Patron, Canadian Future Achievers Awards.
• Honorary Patron, Ottawa Chinatown Gateway Project.
• Honorary Patron, The Immigrant Centre of Manitoba.
• Founding Patron, Helping for a United Good (HUG).
• Patron of the annual Era 21 Networking Breakfast for Young
Canadians on Parliament Hill.
• Honorary Patron, Canadian Foundation for Asian Culture, Toronto.
• Honorary Patron of the Ottawa Asian Heritage Month Society.
• Honorary Patron of the Vancouver Asian Heritage Month Society.
• Honorary Patron, Jobs Vision Success (JVS), Toronto.
• Patron of the Canadian Chinese Congress of St. John Ambulance, Toronto.
• Honorary Patron of the Canada-Hong Kong Business Association
(Ottawa Chapter).
• Patron of the Centre for Information and Community Services, Toronto.
• Honorary Patron of the Chinese Cultural Centre of Greater Vancouver.
• Honorary Patron, Carefirst Seniors and Community Services Association.
• Honorary Patron, Vision Youth Leadership Program.
