CPAC Celebrates 20 Years on September 28
TORONTO September 28, 2012 – On September 28th, the Chinese Professionals Association of Canada (CPAC) hosted its 20th anniversary gala in celebration of 20 years serving the community. The event was held at the Allstream Centre in Toronto and was attended by over 600 guests. The guests included government officials and community leaders.
“In 20 years, CPAC has grown from a modest service provider into an organization with considerable size and status. CPAC’s influence has reached beyond the Chinese community and its impact is felt by the mainstream community,” remarked Dr. Hugh Zhao, president of CPAC during his speech. “CPAC began without an office or paid employees. Now 20 years later CPAC became a leading service provider serving more than 27,000 members and thousands of community members,” said Dr Longhuan, one of the 5 founders of CPAC, and a CPAC Lifetime Contribution award winner.
The night was a celebration CPAC’s past, but speeches during the evening also talked of its future. CPAC intends to offer more individualized services. Three unique service centres – the membership, international exchange, and career service centres – have been developed by CPAC to best serve clients unique needs. Each of these service centres will focus CPAC resources on specific aspects of new immigrant issues. A young professionals division has also been organized to help harbor in a new generation of professionals.
During the gala, twenty five Diamond Jubilee medals were presented to deserving recipients. These awards, presented in honour of her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II, represented a life time achievement for many of the recipients. The Diamond Jubilee medals were presented by former Canadian senator Vivienne Poy and current senator Asha Seth. The founders, as well as present staff, were also recognized for their efforts building CPAC. Magician and illusionist Ryan Joyce was the evenings featured entertainment. Dr Zhao’s final thoughts on the event: “The gala was an evening of reflection, awards and entertainment.”
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Sponsors: CPAC graciously thanks its sponsors for this event: TD Bank Group, BMO Financial Group, HSBC, Certified General Accountants Association of Canada, and Hainan Airlines. CPAC is grateful to each of these companies for their past, present, and future support.
Web site address: http://www.chineseprofessionals.ca/
About CPAC
The Chinese Professionals Association of Canada (CPAC) is a federally registered, not-for-profit organization with the objective of serving and representing the interests of immigrant professionals. The Association has over 27,000 members across Canada and is the largest of its kind. Since its inception in 1992, it has expanded to serve diverse internationally trained professionals and plays an increasingly important role in our multicultural Canadian society, particularly in the Greater Toronto Area.
About Diamond Jubilee Medals: The Diamond Jubilee Awards pay tribute to her majesty Queen Elizabeth II as a commemorative of this her diamond jubilee year. Sixty years ago Queen Elizabeth rose to the throne as the queen regent of Canada and these awards stand as a testimony to the good works she has done both for Canada and abroad. In her name, as selected by the governor general of Canada, recipients have been chosen as an embodiment of those good works here in Canada. Each selected individual has given back both professionally and personally to their community and stand as worthy ambassadors of Queen Elizabeth II.