OTTAWA, May 31st, 2017– The National launch of the 15th annual TD Taste of Asia Festival was held on Parliament Hill on Wednesday May 31st, 2017 as a special reception in light of Asian Heritage Month.

Members of Parliament and Senators from across Canada joined committee members in celebrating Canadian diversity at this special reception on Parliament Hill. Performances and featured Asian cuisine were sponsored by the Federation of Chinese Canadians in Markham (FCCM) and the Honorary Consul General of Cambodia in Canada, to give a foretaste of the Taste of Asia Festival taking place on June 23, 24, and 25, 2017 in Markham, ON.

Dr. Ken Ng, Chairman of FCCM and Taste of Asia and M.P. Arnold Chan, who is the Deputy House Leader of the Government of Canada and co-host of the event, kicked off the reception with opening remarks.

“As a proud member of the GTA community, I commend Dr. Ken Ng and his organizing committee and Mr. Khaja from the Association of Progressive Muslims in Canada for your efforts year after year in providing not just Markham, but the entire Greater Toronto Area with amazing cultural variety. I also want to thank the Kingdom of Cambodia for sponsoring tonight’s cuisine, it was absolutely impeccable!” said MP. Arnold Chan.

Member of Parliament for Markham-Thornhill Mary Ng, also cohosted the event, emphasizing community support and camaraderie in her remarks celebrating Canada’s unique multiculturalism and diversity. The over-capacity event featured many special guests and dignitaries, including:

Senator Victor Oh, M.P. Geng Tan, MP. Shaun Chen, MP. Terry Duguid, MP. Majid Jowhari, MP. Salma Zahid, MP. Celina C-Chavannes, MP. Kerry Diotte, Mayor of Markham, Frank Scarpitti; Deputy Mayor of Markham, Jack Heath; Richmond Hill Councillor of Ward 6, Godwin Chan; Ward 6 Councillor of Markham, Amanda Colluci; Ward 2 Councillor of Markham, Alan Ho; President of AMPC, Mobeen Khaja; Honourary Consul of the Kingdom of Cambodia, Chhat Chhour; York Region Police former Chief,  Armand La Barge; Ambassador of Nepal, Kali Prasad Pokhrel; Ambassador of the Republic of Croatia, Marica Matkovic; Ambassador of the Republic of Turkey, Selcuk Unal; Ambassador of Argentina, Marcelo Suarez Salvia; Acting High Commissioner of Sri Lanka, Saddha Waruna Wilpatha; Ambassador of Lebanon, Sami Haddad; Deputy High Commissioner of India, Arun Kumar Sahu; Ambassador of the People’s Republic of China, Shaye Lu; Ambassadors of Thailand, Vijavat Isarabhakdii and Sinkai Karokhail.
The 15th annual Taste of Asia Festival marks a special time in Canada’s history, as the nation celebrates its 150th year. This year the festival will open for an extra day, to allow for the many new celebrations and activities to be accessible to Canadians far and wide. “With thanks to TD Bank Group, the Governments of Canada and Ontario, The support of the Honorary Consul General of Cambodia in Canada, and my long-time partners Mayor Frank Scarpitti and Mobeen Khaja, this year’s Taste of Asia will be very memorable as we bring back the amazing cultural performances and celebrity chef programs”, said Dr. Ken Ng, Chairman of FCCM and Taste of Asia. In addition, with special thanks to our new sponsors, the festival will be expanding to include featured attractions such as a “Hong Kong City” supported by Hong Kong Economic and Trade Office in Toronto (HKETO), a mechanical elephant that stands over 4 meters tall provided by China Focus and Canada 150 Festivities, sponsored by the Government of Canada. As well, featured Hong Kong star, Elanne Kong (江若琳) will be here to put on an amazing evening concert for all festival participants to enjoy!

“The festival has grown tremendously over the years, and we look forward to celebrating Canada’s 150 years of history through great food and entertainment” said Dr. Ken Ng, Chairman of FCCM and Taste of Asia.

About The 2017 TD Taste of Asia Festival

The 2017 TD Taste of Asia Festival is a three day festival of multicultural foods and performances on June 23, 24 & 25, 2017. The festival will take place on Kennedy Rd. between Steeles Ave. and Clayton Drive, which will be closed to traffic to host the event. Admission is FREE and everyone is welcome. Over 150 booths will be there to cater to your taste buds and curiosity from Friday 7pm to 11pm, Saturday noon to 11pm and Sunday noon to 6pm. Enjoy delicious cuisine, free shows, live entertainment, dancing, celebrity chefs, and much more.

For further information and updates on Taste of Asia, please visit our website and follow our social media pages:

www.taste-of-asia.ca
https://www.facebook.com/tasteofasiastreetfestival/
twitter.com/Tasteofasiafest
instagram.com/tasteofasiafest

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— 6月23、24、25三日，與您約定共享一場亞洲文化美食的盛宴

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啓動活動由國會副議長陳家諾及新當選華裔國會議員伍鳳儀共同主持，參議員胡子修、以及眾多國會議員、省議員、市議員及亞洲多國駐加拿大大使到場表示支持。萬錦亞洲文化美食節從2003年一個只有十幾個攤位的美食節發展到今天能吸引十幾萬人規模，並獲選安省前100個最好的街頭嘉年華奬項，這離不開多年來社區機構，熱心人士的共同努力，更離不開三級政府及贊助商的大力支持。

吳建忠醫生繼表示，今年的活動有道明銀行以及柬甫寨王國的支持，以及活動多年合作夥伴薛家平市長以及活動策劃團隊的共同努力，大家會看到精彩多元文化表演。活動每年都會有新贊助商及團體加入，今年適逢香港回歸二十周年，香港經貿處帶來了很多香港元素。

亞洲文化美食節定於6月23、24、25日共三天，在萬錦市Kennedy夾Steeles太古廣場旁封路舉行。免費入場。詳情請電905-946-1137。