SEIU-West's Workers of Colour Multicultural Mentorship Committee (WoCMMC) wants you to join them to celebrate Asian Heritage Month with a contest for the month of May!
Asian Heritage Month offers an opportunity to grow our awareness about the contributions of Canadians of Asian descent who, for over two centuries, have done so much to contribute to make Canada a country worth living in.
It is also a reminder for us to come together to fight Anti-Asian racism and hate.
Fill out this contest by May 31st to enter to win SEIU-West merch!
Want to learn the geography of Asia? Explore this interactive game!
Asian Heritage Month facts:
- Over the last two centuries, immigrants have journeyed to Canada from East Asia, Southern Asia, Western Asia, Central Asia and Southeast Asia.
- May was selected as Asian Heritage Month in recognition of historical events, including the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants to the United States, on May 7, 1843.
- In 1858, the first Chinese Immigrant arrived in Fraser River Valley in 1858 as gold prospectors.
- In 1877, the first Japanese person came to Victoria, Canada
- in the late 19th century, Lebanese and Syrians first immigrated to Montreal, Canada from Western Asia.
- In 1903, the first South Asian migrants, mainly Sikhs, came to Vancouver, Canada.
- Asian immigrants have brought a rich cultural heritage representing many languages, ethnicities and religious traditions.
- Canadians of Asian heritage voluntarily enlisted in the Canadian Armed Forces and served in the First World War and the Second World War.
- The people from these diverse, vibrant and growing community have contributed to every aspect of life in Canada - from the arts and science to sports, business and government.
- There are approximately 2,300 indigenous languages spoken in Asia.
- Some of the major religions of Asia are Hinduism (25.3%), Islam (24.3%), Buddhism (11.9%), Folk Religions (9%), and Christian (7.1%). 21.2% are unaffiliated and 1.3% are other.
- Canadians with Asian ancestry are both the largest and fastest growing group in Canada, after European Canadians.
- Canadians with Asian ancestry make up roughly 20.2% of the Canadian population.
- Most Asian Canadians live in Southern Ontario, Southwestern British Columbia, Central Alberta and other large Canadian cities.
- According to the most recent Census, which was conducted in 2021, approximately 19.3% - 20.2% of Canadians report being of Asian origin. Saskatchewan had 137,615 immigrants living in Saskatchewan. The top three newcomer demographics came from the Philippines, India and China.
- Saskatchewan saw a significant decline in new permanent residents in 2025. This is due to the recent government policy changes.
Thank you for making Canada home, we are a richer country for having you join us!