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Vietnamese in Canada
5
Vietnamese in Canada
By: Connie Le
The Testing of Agent Orange
Canada has played a huge role in the development of Agent Orange. The chemical was tested in Gagetown, New Brunswick for three days in 1966 and four days a year later (1967), along with a few other Agent Rainbow compounds (such as Agent Purple, White, Blue, etc). According to records, once Agent Orange was tested in 1967, it was returned to the US military for transportation to America. This means that the chemical that first dropped on Vietnam wasn't even tested until a few years after the drop. Agent Orange became public knowledge later on. This motivated ex-NB Power employees to stand up for themselves and they eventually got compensated. There were also numerous protests against Dow Chemicals (the main manufacturer of Agent Orange).
-2
1962
Agent Orange
After Effects on Vietnam
This chemical was especially dangerous because it caused a high release of a dioxin called Tetrachlorodibenzodioxin (also known as TCDD). This dioxin was an organochlorine compound which was later on considered as dangerous because it caused severe conditions to the environment in addition to the human health. The chemical had a negative impact on the people it was sprayed on. Even to this day, some unfortunate citizens in Vietnam are still affected by its impact. Not only would the chemical burn off the skin of many, it also caused long-term effects such as nerve disorders, cancer, birth defects, miscarriages, and so on.
After Effects on Vietnam
-2 Ranking
The event of the testing of Agent Orange was ranked as a -2 because it caused the most detrimental effects to Vietnamese citizens; therefore eroding the relationship between the two nations. Although the Vietnam war was a fight between socialism and democracy, the involvement of innocent citizens were completely unjustified and therefore inhumane.
-2 Ranking
By accommodating for the testing of Agent Orange, it allowed for the development of such a substance. The chemical has caused insufferable pain to many. Many suffered from nerve damage, a higher risk of cancer, birth defects, and so on, even to the point of death. The after effects of Agent Orange were the most significant out of all five events, still affecting Vietnamese citizens to this day.
Project 4000
On June 27th of 1979, a project named Project 4000, was established in Ottawa, Ontario. After the fall of Saigon in 1975, many decided to leave due to the harsh Communist regime. Approximately 1.4 million refugees were seeking a safe place of refuge from 1975-1979. Countries such as Hong Kong, Malaysia, and Indonesia helped by providing camps for many. Luckily, Ottawa’s Mayor, Marion Dewar, decided to take action.
Refugees from the Vietnam War
+1
1979
From here, a meeting was held, including a federal immigration official where it was discovered that 50% of 8000 immigrants weren’t able to make it into the country. Mayor Dewar decided that Ottawa will take the other 4000 that was rejected. The city of Ottawa provided $25 000 for the launch of Project 4000. This money was to assist residents in Ottawa who wished to sponsor refugees. Towards the end of the project, approximately 2000 refugees had been settled in Ottawa under the Project 4000 sponsorship program. In addition to this, another 1600 resettled under a governmental sponsorship program along with many others under different programs.
Mayor Marion Dewar
Project 4000
+1 Ranking
+1 Ranking
A family who has found refuge thanks to Project 4000
Project 4000 was justifiably ranked as a +1. Although Project 4000 was one that saved countless refugees, the federal government of Canada didn't play a vital role. Rather than accepting these refugees as refugees, the government wanted them to come under a sponsorship— turning a blind eye during tough times. Nevertheless, this project was still an inspiration for the rest of Canada. After the project, a number of 59 000 refugees had found safety in Canada. This project has touched many hearts and is something many in the Vietnamese community celebrate. The Vietnamese community is beyond grateful for this act. This event is definitely the start of the relationship between Canada and its Vietnamese citizens— allowing it to be considered as a +1.
Vietnamese Boat People Museum
+2
2005
On June 27th of 2005, otherwise known as the 25th anniversary of Project 4000, a celebration was held amongst the Vietnamese community. There was an overwhelming amount of people who showed up to the point where Can Le, the head of the Vietnamese Canadian Centre (VCC) decided there should be something more definite to represent all who has faced the effects of the Vietnam war, in addition to representing the influence of the Vietnamese community. It was from here that he decided a museum would be the best representation of these two factors. Additionally, the museum would also signify the kindness of Canadians during Vietnam’s harsh times. Can Le found land in 2009, and after a huge amount of setbacks such as a toll on his health, and an attempted ‘over-throwing’ of his position, the plan is back on track.
Vietnamese Boat People Museum
+2 Ranking
+2 Ranking
This was ranked as a +2 because it’s a way of commemorating the refugees of the Vietnam war. By having a museum like this (especially in Canada), we’re honoring these refugees, and their efforts. In addition, an environment where we are more willing to learn about the effects of the war and its aftermath is created. This museum is definitely going to do a lot of good and represent the people that it needs to represent.
First Canadian-Vietnamese Senator
Born on January 3rd of 1947, Thanh Hai Ngo is a politician from South Vietnam, currently residing in Ottawa. On September 6th of 2012, he was appointed as a Senate, making him the first Canadian-Vietnamese Senator of Canada. Ngo was nominated by Prime Minister Stephen Harper (period ran from 2006-2015). He was then appointed by Governor General David Johnston. Thanh Hai Ngo became a Senator of the Conservative Party of Canada, representing Ontario. During his period of ten years (from 2012-2022), Thanh Hai Ngo was a huge advocate for human rights, education, and so on. He was a strong presence in the Vietnamese community and has supported them all throughout his period.
+2
2012
First Canadian-Vietnamese Senator
+2 Ranking
This had a +2 ranking because this event allowed for the most Vietnamese representation. Not only was this representation demonstrated in Parliament, but also outside of politics and within the Vietnamese community. During his period as a Senator, Thanh Hai Ngo has done countless tasks for the Vietnamese commmunity such as to properly honor, represent, and celebrate refugees of the Vietnam war.
Ranking +2
For example, he established the Journey to Freedom Day Act. This is essentially an act that allows for April 30th of every year to be recognized as Journey to Freedom day. This recognizes the exodus of many Viets (in addition to their neighbors who were also resettled) after the war. This is just one out of the many acts he's accomplished for Canadian-Vietnamese citizens.
Canada-Vietnam JEC
+1
2021
On January 10th of 2021, the Canadian and Vietnamese government established a joint economic committee (JEC). Canada’s Minister of International Trade, Mary Ng and Vietnam’s Minister of Industry and Trade, Nguyen Hong Dien, attended the signing of the memorandum of understanding. From here, the joint economic committee was established between the two nations. Especially after deflation due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the economy of both countries were in a tough position. The objective of the JEC is to strengthen and sustain the economy of both nations. The Canadian government will benefit from Vietnam’s fast growing market, while the Vietnamese government will benefit from the relation. In addition, Canada is also establishing their presence as an economic participant in the Indo-Pacific region.
Canada-Vietnam JEC
+1 Ranking
+1 Ranking
This event was ranked as a +1. Although this event does benefit both nations it didn’t quite contribute too much to the Canadian-Vietnamese relationship but rather, it could be viewed as a first step taken to a stronger governmental relationship between the two countries. This is especially important since this would be Canada’s first direct bilateral relationship with Vietnam and vice versa. This is just the beginning of Canada and Vietnam’s relationship, hence the +1 ranking.
Sources
Sources
Noakes, T. (2021, July 23). Canada and Agent Orange. The Canadian Encyclopedia. Retrieved June 15, 2022, from https://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.ca/en/article/canada-and-agent-orange
Government of Canada. (2019, January 30). Agent Orange Investigations at Base Gagetown. Canada.ca. Retrieved June 15, 2022, from https://www.canada.ca/en/department-national-defence/corporate/reports-publications/agent-orange.html
Powell, J. (n.d.). Project 4000 . The Historical Society of Ottawa. Retrieved June 15, 2022, from https://www.historicalsocietyottawa.ca/publications/ottawa-stories/momentous-events-in-the-city-s-life/project-4000
Deachman, B. (2022, April 23). Vietnamese boat people museum back on track after trio of setbacks ... Ottawa Citizen. Retrieved June 15, 2022, from https://ottawacitizen.com/news/local-news/vietnamese-boat-people-museum-back-on-track-after-a-trio-of-setbacks-delays-project
Honourable Thanh Hai Ngo. (n.d.). Honourable NGO. Retrieved June 15, 2022, from https://honourablengo.ca/
Canada, G. A. (2022, January 10). Minister ng Establishes Canada-vietnam joint economic committee. Canada.ca. Retrieved June 15, 2022, from https://www.canada.ca/en/global-affairs/news/2022/01/minister-ng-establishes-canada-vietnam-joint-economic-committee.html