Journey to Freedom Day on the Hill

April 30, 2015

Following the rally in support of the Memorial to the Victims of Communism, approximately one thousand members of the Vietnamese community marched from Wellington St. to Parliament Hill to commemorate the first official Journey to Freedom Day.

Canadian flags and the Heritage and Freedom flags were raised with pride as Vietnamese-Canadians gave thanks for Canada’s generous acceptance of over 60,000 refugees under the Joe Clark government. With a heavy heart, representatives from the community spoke of freedom and stood in remembrance of those who died at sea 40 years ago while trying to escape the communist regime after the fall of Saigon in 1975.

Senator Thanh Hai Ngo, Minister Jason Kenney, MP Mark Adler and several other parliamentarians praised the progress made by the Vietnamese-Canadian community since their exodus and resettlement in a new country.

Minister Jason Kenney accepted a plaque from the community on behalf of the Government of Canada recognizing Canada’s incredible humanitarian efforts.

(For information on the Freedom Day Act, please visit https://honourablengo.ca/bill-s-219eng/).

For more pictures, please visit our online gallery.